Lee Jae-myung Wins S. Korea’s Presidential Election

Liberal opposition candidate Lee Jae-myung has secured victory in South Korea’s presidential election, according to preliminary results.

This historic vote, marked by record turnout, follows months of political unrest triggered by an attempted imposition of martial law by former President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Lee, the leader of the Democratic Party, won 51.7 percent of the vote, defeating conservative People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo, who gained 39.3 percent. Kim publicly conceded defeat, congratulating Lee and stating that he accepted the people’s choice.

According to the National Election Commission, voter turnout reached 77.8 percent, the highest in nearly two decades. More than 30.5 million voters, representing around 69 percent of the registered electorate, cast their ballots across over 14,000 polling stations nationwide.

The vote came after a major political crisis in December, when former president Yoon attempted to declare martial law. The move was widely condemned as a threat to democracy and resulted in his impeachment on charges of rebellion.

Although a court later overturned the arrest warrant and Yoon was released in March, he still faces charges that could lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

Speaking after the announcement of his victory, Lee Jae-myung said the election had confirmed that power belongs to the people.

He promised to lead the country with a vision of peace and without conflict, pledging to restore trust between citizens and the state. His campaign focused on building a new political model, rooted in economic and social reform.

Kim Moon-soo, while accepting defeat, had campaigned on restoring strong institutions and protecting civil liberties, presenting himself as a steady hand during uncertain times.

In a rare move that reflects the political urgency facing the country, Lee is set to take the presidential oath of office immediately on Wednesday, just one day after the election. The swift transition is seen as a response to the instability of recent months and the need for immediate leadership.

Lee now faces significant challenges. These include healing political divisions, boosting the economy amid global trade shifts, and managing South Korea’s strategic position between the United States and China. While some critics have accused Lee in the past of leaning towards Beijing and Pyongyang, he has reiterated his stance that South Korea’s alliance with Washington remains the foundation of its foreign policy.