- Lee bested conservative opponent Kim Moon-soo.
- “I accept the people’s choice with humility,” Kim states.
- Lee will assume office shortly.
SEOUL: Lee Jae-myung, the center-left leader of South Korea, celebrated voters’ “wise decision” as he was announced the victor of a snap presidential election early Wednesday, bringing to a close a period of political upheaval.
Exactly six months after the former president Yoon Suk Yeol threw the nation into turmoil with his ill-fated martial law declaration, official results from the National Election Commission confirmed Lee’s victory over conservative challenger Kim Moon-soo, who conceded the election prior to the official announcement.
The voter turnout reached its highest level in nearly thirty years.
“I humbly accept the people’s will. Congratulations to the newly elected president, Lee Jae-myung,” said Kim as counting of the remaining ballots continued.
Lee expressed gratitude to the voters for their trust, asserting he would strive to meet the substantial responsibility and expectations placed upon him.
In light of South Korea’s increasing partisan divide, intensified by the chaos following Yoon’s martial law move, Lee acknowledged that those who did not support him are still “fellow citizens” and promised to “advance with optimism and begin anew from this moment on”.
He also indicated plans to “encourage dialogue, communication, and cooperation” between Seoul and its long-standing adversary, Pyongyang, a relationship that has deteriorated to its lowest point in years under Yoon’s aggressive stance.
‘Relieved’
Lee will assume office almost immediately, once the commission verifies the vote count, expected early Wednesday.
With 96.74% of the ballots counted, it became mathematically impossible for Kim to close the gap.
Lee will inherit a daunting agenda, including challenges presented by global trade fluctuations impacting the export-driven economy, extremely low birth rates, and a fortified North Korea expanding its military capabilities.
The voter turnout reached 79.4%, the highest since 1997.
An exit poll conducted by the three major broadcasters had earlier predicted Lee’s win, prompting his supporters to celebrate outside the National Assembly, while party officials inside parliament began chanting “Lee Jae-myung.”
For weeks, major polls consistently showed Lee in the lead over Kim—Yoon’s former labor minister—who struggled with internal party conflicts and failed to unite with a third-party candidate, resulting in a fragmented right-wing vote.
After months of instability and a succession of acting leaders, many South Koreans expressed their hope for a more stable future.
Noh Min-young, a 20-year-old protestor since Yoon’s martial law declaration, told AFP she felt “relieved.”
“It’s been a tough journey. I’m thrilled because it feels like we’ve seized the opportunity that so many have fought for over the last six months,” she said.
‘Turning point’
Experts noted that the aftermath of Yoon’s martial law announcement, which left South Korea effectively without leadership during the early months of President Donald Trump’s controversial second term, played a crucial role in shaping the election results.
The election was widely perceived as a referendum on the previous administration, stated Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women’s University, to AFP.
Yoon’s impeachment following his martial law attempt, which saw armed troops deployed to the parliament, marked him as the second consecutive conservative president to be removed from office after Park Geun-hye in 2017.
“Lee’s victory signifies a rejection by the Korean public of undemocratic and illiberal actions like martial law,” explained Gi-Wook Shin, a sociology professor at Stanford University.
This moment may be regarded as a significant turning point in the political landscape of South Korea.
However, Lee’s victory results not only from his own strengths but also from the shortcomings of his competitors, noted Minseon Ku, a postdoctoral researcher at the William & Mary Global Research Institute.
“Lee has a criminal history and has faced various political and personal scandals,” Ku remarked.
His ascent to the presidency is indicative of the deep political discord plaguing South Korea.
In South Korea, presidents are limited to a single five-year term.
Authorities heightened security measures, deploying thousands of officers to ensure that both the election and the upcoming inauguration on Wednesday proceed without incident.
Lee, having survived an assassination attempt last year, has been campaigning in a bulletproof vest and giving speeches behind a protective glass screen.
