Regardless of which candidate wins the election in June, he will be tasked with suppressing growing working-class opposition anger amid worsening economic and social conditions.

South Korea's conservative People Power Party on Saturday picked former labour minister Kim Moon-soo as its candidate for the June 3 presidential election, which was called after the removal of Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been mulling whether to run for election, while the main opposition candidate and front-runner suffered a setback in court.