South Korea elects Lee Jae-myung as president after Yoon's impeachment

Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung wins South Korea's presidency in a high-turnout snap election after Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and a brief imposition of martial law

Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung won the presidential election on Tuesday, becoming South Korea’s new leader after a turbulent period that included martial law and the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol.

 

Lee’s win followed a concession from conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, who was initially ahead with 48.523 per cent of the vote counted. Kim later congratulated Lee on his victory.

 

Promises of unity, economic revival, and peace

Speaking to reporters outside his residence as the vote was underway, Lee pledged to unify the nation, revive the economy, and pursue peaceful engagement with nuclear-armed North Korea.

 

 

“I will do my utmost to fulfil the great responsibility and mission entrusted to me, so as not to disappoint the expectations of our people,” he said. 

 

A turbulent path to election

  Lee previously served as labour minister under Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law on 3 December. In the 2022 election, Yoon narrowly defeated Lee, only to see his presidency cut short when he was impeached by Parliament and removed by the Constitutional Court in April.

 

The impeachment triggered a snap election, which saw a historic 80 per cent voter turnout—the highest since the 1997 presidential election.

 

Official results pending, economic concerns loom

  The National Election Commission is expected to announce the official results on Wednesday morning, following machine tabulation and triple-checking by election officials.

 

South Korea now faces significant challenges, including an economic downturn, rising income inequality, and uncertainty over US security commitments under Donald Trump’s leadership.