South Korea's left-wing presidential frontrunner Lee Jae-myung proposed on Friday to amend the constitution to make it more difficult to impose martial law, aiming to prevent political crises like the one that erupted last year.

While his poor upbringing has drawn scorn from members of South Korea's upper class, Lee's success in building his political career from the ground up has earned him support from working-class voters and those who feel disenfranchised by the political elite.

Ahead of South Korea's snap election to replace impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol, social media users shared an altered image of conservative former Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo sporting a jacket with a slogan backing the rival camp's Lee Jae-myung.

Roiled by political upheaval since ousted leader Yoon Suk Yeol’s disastrous martial law declaration, South Korea is looking for stability. But is presidential favourite Lee Jae Myung the steady hand the country needs?