SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea's upcoming presidential election has turned into a messy battle full of personal insults and scandals rather than serious discussion about the country's future.

After the removal of former president Yoon Suk Yeol over a martial law controversy, the race between the leading liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung and conservative Kim Moon Soo has become bitter and divisive.

During their final debate early last week, Lee called Kim a puppet of Yoon, while Kim accused Lee of being a dangerous leader who could bring dictatorship to Korea.

As early voting starts on June 5 ahead of the June 3 election, here are the key controversies making headlines:

Lee's Coffee Shop Comment

Kim has been trailing behind Lee in the polls and has focused on Lee's past legal issues. Recently, Kim's team criticized Lee for comments he made about coffee shops during a campaign rally. Lee was explaining how he helped street vendors become legitimate business owners when he was governor of Gyeonggi Province in 2019. He said it was more profitable to run a coffee shop than to sell chicken porridge, pointing out that coffee sells for 8,000 to 10,000 won, while the raw coffee beans cost only 120 won.

This upset many small business owners, who felt Lee was ignoring their real challenges. Kim's party said Lee was out of touch and hurt people trying to make an honest living. Lee replied that his words were twisted and that he was only explaining how he helped vendors improve their businesses.

Kim Silent on Scandals

Lee has attacked Kim for not criticizing former president Yoon, especially after Yoon recently supported a film defending his controversial martial law plans and making false claims about election fraud.

Kim, who used to be Yoon's labor minister, only said he would investigate the election fraud claims if elected. He has also avoided talking about new scandals involving Yoon's wife, Kim Keon Hee. She is being investigated for accepting luxury gifts like Chanel and Dior bags and for being involved in stock market manipulation.

During the debate, Lee warned that if Kim becomes president, Yoon might still control the government from behind the scenes. Kim did not answer when asked if he would pardon Yoon.

Nightclub Visit by Judge

Lee's party also raised questions about a judge who allowed Yoon to be released from prison and avoid detention during his trial. They accused the judge of visiting an expensive private karaoke bar known as a "room salon" with people possibly connected to his work. The judge denied the claims and said he just enjoyed Korean grilled pork and drinks like any other person.

Conservatives said Lee's party was trying to pressure the courts, especially since Lee is also facing five criminal trials.

Conservative Chaos

Since South Korea does not have a second round of voting, losing parties often combine forces. In this case, conservative leaders loyal to Yoon tried to cancel Kim's nomination and support another candidate, Han Duck-soo. But party members rejected the move. Kim called it a "political coup" and tried to join with another conservative candidate, who refused to work with him.