South Korean Presidential Election: Lee Jae-myung Declares Victory | WPN World People News

South Korea welcomed its new president, Lee Jae-myung, on June 4. He pledged to lead the country out of political turmoil and emergency rule, and to revitalize the economy, which has been hurt by slowing growth and rising global protectionism. Experts say South Korea’s foreign policy may undergo significant changes under his leadership.

The presidential by-election was officially held in the early hours of June 3, marking the end of a 171-day political vacuum since former President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached in December last year. The election, held nearly two years ahead of schedule, featured five candidates. Of the approximately 44.39 million eligible voters nationwide, 35% had already cast their ballots through early absentee voting.

According to foreign media reports, the final tally announced by South Korea’s National Election Commission showed that opposition Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung won with 49.42% of the nearly 35 million votes, defeating ruling People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo, who garnered 41.15%. Voter turnout reached 79.4%, the highest in a presidential election since 1997.

Under South Korea’s Public Official Election Act, if a presidential election is held due to a vacancy in office, the elected candidate assumes office immediately upon confirmation. Accordingly, Lee's five-year term officially began in the early morning of June 4.