The main contenders in this election are the liberal Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung and the conservative People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo.
The Korean Yonhap News Agency reported that voting began at 14,295 polling stations across the country, noting that the new president will assume office immediately with no transition period.
She noted that the early elections come about six months after former President Yoon Suk-yeol's surprise announcement of martial law, which sparked a political crisis in the country.
Former President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law last December, Yonhap reported, sparking a political crisis in the country.
Seok-yeol was removed from his post last April and now faces trial on charges of "high treason."
