Lee Jae-myung Faces Task to Quickly Heal South Korea's Wounds

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Lee Jae-myung Wins South Korean Presidential Election Amid High Voter Turnout and Political Turmoil

By TRH News Desk

NEW DELHI, June 3, 2025 – Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party has emerged victorious in South Korea’s snap presidential election. He secured a mandate to lead the nation following a tumultuous period marked by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The election, characterized by a record-high voter turnout, reflects South Koreans’ desire for stability and economic recovery after months of political chaos. Lee’s win, projected by major broadcasters and confirmed by local media, positions him to tackle pressing challenges, including a slowing economy and regional tensions, as he takes office immediately.

A Decisive Victory for Lee Jae-myung

With more than 70% of the votes counted, Lee Jae-myung secured a comfortable lead with 48.523%, outpacing his conservative rival, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, who garnered 39.3%, according to The Korea Herald.

The outlet reported that Kim conceded defeat as the results became clear, marking a significant moment for the Democratic Party, which has capitalized on public anger over Yoon’s failed martial law declaration in December 2024.

Yonhap News Agency noted that South Korea’s top broadcasters—KBS, MBC, SBS, and JTBC—called the election for Lee earlier in the evening, with a provisional voter turnout of 79.4%, the highest since 1997.

Lee, speaking outside the National Assembly, expressed gratitude to voters, stating, “I will not forget for a second the duty you gave me. I will conduct it thoroughly,” as reported by The Chosun Ilbo. He emphasized his commitment to uniting the nation, saying, “We’ve proved that power is not to be used for the president’s personal interests, but for the bright future of this country.”

Lee’s focus on economic revitalization from “day one” resonated with voters, who have faced a slowing economy and rising inequality.

A Nation Seeks Stability After Crisis

The election was triggered by the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, who was arrested and charged with insurrection following his controversial martial law bid, which plunged South Korea into a political maelstrom.

The Korea Times detailed the chaotic backdrop, noting that Yoon’s immediate replacement, Han Duck-soo, was also impeached, leaving Education Minister Lee Ju-ho as acting president.

The high turnout—surpassing the 77% recorded in the 2022 election—underscored the public’s urgency for change, with Hankyoreh reporting that more than a third of the 44.39 million eligible voters cast ballots during early voting last week.

Lee, a 61-year-old former human rights lawyer, has a history of resilience, having narrowly lost the 2022 presidential race to Yoon by a margin of 0.74%, the slimmest in South Korea’s electoral history, according to The Dong-A Ilbo.

His campaign focused on reducing inequality, easing national divisions, and revitalizing the economy, promises that struck a chord with a populace weary of political upheaval.

Challenges Ahead for the New President

Lee takes office without the traditional two-month transition period, a challenge highlighted by JoongAng Daily, which noted that he faces immediate pressure to address a slowing economy, trade tensions exacerbated by US President Donald Trump’s policies, and the persistent nuclear threat from North Korea.

Lee has pledged a pragmatic approach to foreign affairs, committing to maintain South Korea’s alliance with the U.S. and its partnership with Japan, a stance that mirrors his conservative predecessor’s policies despite his progressive roots.

However, Lee’s presidency is not without controversy. He faces ongoing criminal trials related to bribery and a property development scandal, which were postponed until after the election, as reported by The Korea Herald.

Lee has denied all charges, calling them politically motivated, but these legal battles could cast a shadow over his term.

A Divided Political Landscape

Kim Moon-soo, speaking at the People Power Party headquarters, conceded defeat at 01:30 local time (16:30 GMT), according to Yonhap News Agency. During the campaign, Kim had warned that a Lee victory would lead to a “Hitler-like dictatorship,” a claim that failed to sway voters, per The Chosun Ilbo. Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party, who finished third with 7.7% of the vote, also conceded, with exit polls showing strong support from men under 30, as reported by Hankyoreh.

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