Opposition Democratic candidate leads in S. Korea presidential election

Opposition Democratic Party candidate, Lee Jae-myung, is leading in South Korea’s presidential election, according to exit polls released by major broadcasters.

Exit polls by KBS, MBC, and SBS show Lee ahead with 51.7 per cent of the vote, surpassing the margin of error.

His main rival, Kim Moon-soo, of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), trails with 39.3 per cent, giving Lee a 12.4-point lead.

Other candidates include Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party with 7.7 per cent, and Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labor Party with 1.3 per cent.

JTBC’s poll showed Lee at 50.6 per cent and Kim at 39.4 per cent, while MBN reports 49.2 per cent to 41.7 per cent, and Channel A shows 51.1 per cent for Lee and 38.9 per cent for Kim.

The official vote count began around 20:30 local time (11:30 GMT) and was expected to conclude after midnight.(RIA/NAN)