Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has won South Korea’s presidential election, following a dramatic political upheaval sparked by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol after his failed attempt to impose martial law late last year.
Lee’s victory was confirmed after ruling party candidate Kim Moon-soo, a former cabinet member under Yoon, conceded defeat Tuesday night. South Korea’s major broadcasters declared Lee the certain winner shortly after polls closed at 8:00 p.m. local time.
The election, conducted under extraordinary circumstances, was widely viewed as a public referendum on Yoon’s controversial bid to militarize the state amid protests and political discord in December. That move triggered a constitutional crisis, leading to his impeachment and a snap election.
Lee, who previously lost the presidency in 2022 and remains under investigation for alleged corruption, centered his campaign on restoring democratic norms and preventing future authoritarian overreach. His message resonated across a deeply polarized electorate.
“I will make sure that the shadows of dictatorship never fall on our democracy again,” Lee said in his victory speech, vowing to revive the economy and pursue peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Major Foreign Policy Challenges Ahead
Lee's presidency begins under immense external pressure. South Korean businesses are reeling from newly imposed U.S. tariffs, while diplomatic tensions simmer with China and North Korea.
Further complicating matters, Donald Trump’s return to the White House has cast uncertainty over the U.S.-ROK alliance, with reports suggesting Trump may reduce American troop deployments in South Korea. Although Lee has previously been critical of U.S. military presence, he has tempered his stance recently — balancing calls for sovereignty with pragmatic diplomacy.
He has also expressed interest in closer ties with China, raising the risk of friction with Washington.
National Division Remains Deep
Though Lee’s election marks a sharp rebuke of Yoon’s administration, he inherits a country bitterly divided along ideological lines. Many South Koreans, particularly conservatives, remain suspicious of Lee’s populist style and legal controversies. Reuniting the country and restoring public trust in institutions will be among his most difficult tasks.
This dramatic power shift, on the six-month anniversary of the martial law attempt, signals a critical moment for South Korea's democracy — one shaped by civic resistance, institutional resilience, and a deep desire to prevent history from repeating.
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