South Korea’s Presidential Election to Set Tone with U.S., North Korea

SEOUL—For nearly five years under left-leaning President Moon Jae-in, South Korea went all in on engaging North Korea. That left Seoul at times out of sync with Washington and Tokyo, which back stronger confrontation with Pyongyang.

South Korea’s election on Wednesday to pick Mr. Moon’s successor will determine whether much of his foreign policy approach stays or goes. Progressive Lee Jae-myung, a fellow Democratic Party member with Mr. Moon, is running a tight race with the conservative Yoon Suk-yeol, who pledges to get tougher on North Korea and closer with the U.S.