Months of a political drama in South Korea is drawing to a close with the country poised to elect a new president this week to succeed Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative leader who was toppled over his ill-fated imposition of martial law.

After being stabbed last year, the leading presidential contender, Lee Jae-myung, is taking no chances. His main rival says he doesn’t need such protection.

After half a year of political turmoil, uncertainty and division, South Korea is voting for a new president to succeed Yoon Suk Yeol, the disgraced former leader who plunged the democratic nation into chaos by declaring martial law in December.