South Korea will hold a snap presidential election June 3 to choose Yoon Suk Yeol’s successor after the conservative was ousted over his imposition of martial law late last year.

Leading contenders began to throw their hats in the ring on Tuesday as South Korea officially set June 3 for a snap presidential election triggered by last week's removal from office of impeached leader Yoon Suk Yeol.

Polls show the main opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, is the front-runner to replace Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office for declaring martial law.