The U.S. ally has been without a permanent leader since late last year, when then-President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached over his botched declaration of martial law.

South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung is projected to be the new president following a snap election on Tuesday, according to an exit poll by Korean broadcasters, in a vote held exactly six months after the country’s previous leader declared martial law and plunged the nation into chaos.

South Koreans are hoping to put six months of turmoil from ousted leader Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law decree behind them.