Seoul: Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung was elected president Wednesday following months of political upheaval surrounding the impeachment and removal of his former opponent, who faced backlash over a failed attempt to enforce martial law.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee's victory marked a significant comeback after narrowly losing to former President Yoon Suk Yeol by less than 1 percentage point in the 2022 election. Yoon's controversial martial law declaration in December significantly contributed to Lee's ascent to the presidency, although it has exacerbated the country's political divide and intensified challenges related to U.S. tariff policies and North Korea's nuclear agenda.
In the final vote count, Lee, representing the liberal DP, secured 49.42 percent of the votes, surpassing his conservative People Power Party (PPP) rival Kim Moon-soo, who garnered 41.15 percent. Lee captured 17.3 million votes, outpacing Kim by 2.9 million votes and exceeding Yoon's 16.39 million votes from the previous election.
Addressing supporters in Seoul's Yeouido, Lee assured the public of his commitment to preventing a military coup and restoring democracy. "I will fulfill my mission of creating a world where democracy is restored and the people are respected as sovereign in a democratic republic," he declared, joined by his wife, Kim Hye-kyung. He pledged to focus on reviving the economy and improving citizens' livelihoods.
Kim Moon-soo conceded defeat at a press conference, acknowledging the people's choice and congratulating Lee. He expressed gratitude for the public's support, crediting them for the nation's resilience amidst crises.
The election occurred six months after Yoon's martial law declaration, which triggered memories of past military regimes and plunged the nation into a severe economic and political crisis. Lee's campaign emphasized overcoming the "insurrection forces" led by Yoon, while Kim criticized Lee's leadership style, advocating for a future free of dictatorship.
Exit polls projected Lee's victory by a 12.4 percentage point margin, leading to celebrations among DP officials and leaders. PPP officials, on the other hand, expressed disappointment at the unexpected gap in votes.
The National Election Commission (NEC) reported a voter turnout of 79.4 percent, the highest since the 1997 election. Vote counting, completed by 6 a.m. Wednesday, confirmed Lee's victory, allowing him to assume office immediately without a transition period. His inauguration is scheduled to take place at the National Assembly later in the day.
Five candidates competed for the presidency, with Lee and Kim as the main contenders. Pre-election surveys showed Lee maintaining a lead over Kim, with both candidates prioritizing economic growth and artificial intelligence development.
On security matters, Lee promised pragmatic diplomacy, while Kim emphasized deterrence against North Korea's nuclear threats. Both agreed on the need for constitutional reforms to change the presidential term structure, though they proposed different timelines for implementation.
Prominent political figures, including former President Yoon and his wife, participated in the election, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik expressing hope for overcoming political turmoil through democratic means.