Seoul: Just hours after winning the South Korean presidency, Lee Jae-myung has pledged to “unite the people” in his inauguration speech. The 61-year-old secured victory in a snap election with 49.4% of the vote, a clear rejection of his rival, Kim Moon-soo, from the same party as the impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol.
According to BBC, Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law had triggered months of political chaos, eventually leading to his impeachment. Lee has promised to establish a “flexible, pragmatic government” and announced that an emergency economic task force would be activated immediately. His victory is seen as a comeback, given his involvement in past political scandals, including allegations of corruption and family disputes. Analysts suggest his win capitalized on public anger over the martial law incident.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik told BBC Korean that the election was a judgment on the violation of democratic principles by Yoon’s administration. The result reflected the public’s demand for restoring democracy, Woo added. Park Sung-min, president of Min Consulting, echoed this sentiment, noting that voters were responding to a perceived breakdown of democracy rather than expressing strong support for Lee’s agenda.
Lee’s supporters gathered in front of parliament, expressing excitement about his presidency. Leo Kil, a software engineer, expressed hope that Lee would create a fair world where laws are enforced as promised. Another supporter, Yoo Gi-won, mentioned feeling relieved after Yoon’s presidency, which he described as detrimental to the country.
Despite his victory, Lee faces challenges, including a trial in the Supreme Court over charges of violating election laws. If convicted, it’s unclear how this might affect his presidency, as sitting presidents are generally protected from prosecution for criminal offenses, except in cases of insurrection or treason.
Lee’s more significant challenge is uniting a nation deeply divided by years of political polarization. Park noted that Lee must navigate holding individuals accountable for alleged insurrection attempts without exacerbating divisions. Ex-President Yoon’s support base, comprising mainly young male voters and the elderly, remains strong and vocal. They often advocate right-wing narratives and believe Yoon’s martial law declaration was necessary for national protection.
The political landscape is further complicated by figures like Lee Jun Seok, who appeals to young men with anti-feminist views and could fill the vacuum left by Yoon. Lee Jae-myung now steps into this politically charged environment, tasked with transforming public discontent into hope for the future. How he manages this transition will be closely scrutinized.