Lee Jae-myung Elected President of South Korea Amid Political Turmoil
Seoul, June 4, 2025 —
Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, has been elected president following a snap election triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Lee secured 49.4% of the vote, defeating conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo, who garnered 41.2%. Voter turnout reached 79.4%, the highest since 1997.
The election was called after Yoon's controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024, which led to his impeachment and removal from office. Lee, who had previously lost to Yoon in the 2022 election, campaigned on a platform of restoring democracy and addressing economic challenges.
In his inaugural address, Lee acknowledged the nation's "tangled web of overlapping crises," including economic stagnation, inequality, and geopolitical tensions. He pledged to reform South Korea's centralized development model, promote fiscal expansion, and bolster advanced manufacturing and AI industries.
Lee also emphasized the importance of strong alliances, committing to reinforce South Korea's trilateral partnership with the U.S. and Japan. However, he faces immediate challenges, including rising U.S. tariffs on Korean exports and growing North Korea-Russia military ties.
A former child laborer who became a human rights lawyer, Lee's life story resonates with many South Koreans. Despite facing legal issues and surviving a violent attack during the campaign, he has laid out an ambitious agenda for reform and growth.
As he begins his five-year term, Lee aims to heal national divisions, stabilize the economy, and navigate complex international relations. His leadership marks a significant shift in South Korea's political landscape, with potential implications for both domestic policy and regional dynamics.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, has been elected president following a snap election triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Lee secured 49.4% of the vote, defeating conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo, who garnered 41.2%. Voter turnout reached 79.4%, the highest since 1997.
The election was called after Yoon's controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024, which led to his impeachment and removal from office. Lee, who had previously lost to Yoon in the 2022 election, campaigned on a platform of restoring democracy and addressing economic challenges.
In his inaugural address, Lee acknowledged the nation's "tangled web of overlapping crises," including economic stagnation, inequality, and geopolitical tensions. He pledged to reform South Korea's centralized development model, promote fiscal expansion, and bolster advanced manufacturing and AI industries.
Lee also emphasized the importance of strong alliances, committing to reinforce South Korea's trilateral partnership with the U.S. and Japan. However, he faces immediate challenges, including rising U.S. tariffs on Korean exports and growing North Korea-Russia military ties.
A former child laborer who became a human rights lawyer, Lee's life story resonates with many South Koreans. Despite facing legal issues and surviving a violent attack during the campaign, he has laid out an ambitious agenda for reform and growth.
As he begins his five-year term, Lee aims to heal national divisions, stabilize the economy, and navigate complex international relations. His leadership marks a significant shift in South Korea's political landscape, with potential implications for both domestic policy and regional dynamics.
