Lee Jae-myung Wins South Korea’s Presidential Election
South Korea elected opposition leader Lee Jae-myung as president on June 3, concluding months of political instability following the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Lee, 61, a former Gyeonggi Province governor and human rights lawyer, secured 49.42% of the vote, defeating conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo, who received 41.15%, according to the National Election Commission. Voter turnout reached about 79%, one of the highest in recent decades.
The election results map showed a clear left-right divide across South Korea, with Lee Jae-myung’s Democratic Party dominating urban and southwestern regions and conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo carrying much of the rural and southeastern areas. This geographic split reflected long-standing political and economic divides within the country.
The election was held early after Yoon was impeached in December 2024 and officially removed from office by the Constitutional Court in April. His decision to impose martial law during unrest drew widespread criticism and protests, leading to his ouster.
With his party holding a majority in the National Assembly, Lee is expected to pursue broad reforms in economic policy, anti-corruption efforts, and social welfare. His administration faces immediate challenges, including growing inequality, stagnant wages, and a volatile housing market. Lee emphasized the need to address global economic instability and its effects on South Korea’s export-driven economy. He pledged to expand public investment and create policies aimed at stabilizing the job market and supporting small businesses. He also vowed to invest up to 100 trillion won (about $73 billion) to fund artificial intelligence development, aiming to make South Korea one of the top three global AI powerhouses.
On foreign policy, Lee plans to strengthen South Korea’s alliance with the United States and maintain close cooperation with Japan while pursuing diplomatic engagement with North Korea. He is expected to take a balanced approach to managing relations with China amid rising regional tensions and ongoing concerns about North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia.
Shortly after taking office, Lee attended the Group of Seven (G7) summit, held June 15-17 in Canada, as part of efforts to reestablish high-level diplomacy after the country’s foreign relations were effectively frozen during the impeachment crisis.
His presidency marks a return to democratic governance following a turbulent transition. Political analysts say Lee’s ability to unify the country, deliver on his policy promises, and navigate complex geopolitical dynamics will define his leadership in the coming years.
Luis Apolo Staff Reporter teen/1750138435/1613367592
1. When was the presidential election held?
2. What was the voter turnout percentage?
3. Why was the election held early?
4. What challenges does Lee Jae-myung's administration face?
1. How do election results affect daily life?
2. Why is voting important in a country?
3. What does it mean to have political instability?
4. How can a leader unite a divided country?
South Korea elected opposition leader Lee Jae-myung as president on June 3, concluding months of political instability following the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
