South Korea chooses Lee Jae-myung as its new president in national vote.
Get ready, South Korea! The new president is in town, and it's none other than Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party. After a hard-fought 22-day campaign, Lee clinched the presidency, marking the end of an era under the conservative People Power Party and former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Lee secured a substantial victory, boasting 49.42% of the vote, while his closest competitor, Kim Moon-soo, managed only 41.15%. The polls were heated, with the outcome being decided just three years after Yoon defeated Lee by the narrowest margin of 0.73 percentage points in the 2022 presidential election.
Now, Lee has outsmarted the competition and left no doubt about the winner. Yet, as history repeats itself, it seems Lee will not walk away with an outright majority. Unlike former President Park Geun-hye, who captured 51.55% of the vote in 2012, Lee narrowly falls short.
With the election results in, both Lee and Kim delivered their concession and victory speeches, marking new beginnings for the nation. Lee expressed his gratitude for the tremendous responsibility bestowed upon him and promised to work tirelessly to meet the expectations of the citizens. Meanwhile, Kim succinctly congratulated Lee on his election and expressed his respect for the people's decision.
As Lee begins his third presidential bid, having previously finished third in his first attempt and just barely losing to Yoon in the 2022 election, the question remains: Will he be able to rise to the challenge and lead South Korea out of its current political upheaval?
The answer remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: With the Democratic Party holding a majority in the National Assembly, Lee may have a strong foothold for his legislative initiatives. However, concerns over his legal trials and ongoing investigations into corruption and other charges could complicate matters.
Stay tuned, South Korea, as the country enters a new chapter under President Lee Jae-myung's leadership. We'll be there every step of the way to bring you the latest news and updates on the nation's political landscape and the trials and tribulations that come with it.
Lee Jae-myung (left) the presidential candidate for South Korea's Democratic Party, and his wife Kim Hye-gyeong (right) acknowledge the crowd as they await the final results of the presidential election in Seoul on June 4, 2025. - AFP/VNA Photo
Enrichment Insight: Lee Jae-myung is clocking in as South Korea's new leader, but he's not walking away with an outright majority. Instead, he secured a landslide victory, leaving little doubt about the winner. However, the lack of an outright majority could present challenges in managing the country's ongoing political upheaval. Moreover, Lee's legal troubles, including ongoing trials related to corruption, might complicate his governance. With the Democratic Party holding a majority in the National Assembly, Lee has a powerful platform for his legislative initiatives, but it remains to be seen if he can mastermind his way through the trials ahead.
South Korea's Democratic Party candidate, Lee Jae-myung, has clinched the presidency, securing a substantial majority of votes, but falling short of an outright majority. Despite the landslide victory, challenges lie ahead as he navigates ongoing political upheaval and faces legal trials related to corruption. With the Democratic Party holding a majority in the National Assembly, Lee has a strong foothold for his legislative initiatives. However, it remains unclear whether he can rise to the challenge and successfully lead the country. The upcoming trials and tribulations will be closely monitored, with updates on the nation's political landscape eagerly anticipated.
