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.
Donald Trump said he is “in no hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, insisting the U.S. is slowly getting what it wants. He warned military action rem...
Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela has secured a fourth successive election victory for his Labour Party, extending its hold on power, though with ...
Nicaraguan indigenous leader and former lawmaker Brooklyn Rivera has died in state custody at the age of 73, according to local media reports citing h...
At least 46 people, including six children, have been killed in a powerful explosion at a building used to store mining explosives in northeastern Mya...
Thousands of residents blocked Austria’s Brenner motorway on Saturday (30 May), shutting down a major north-south transport route through the Alps i...
Donald Trump said he is “in no hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, insisting the U.S. is slowly getting what it wants. He warned military action remains an option if talks fail. Meanwhile, U.S. forces said they fired a missile at a vessel trying to breach Washington’s blockade of Iran.
Nicaraguan indigenous leader and former lawmaker Brooklyn Rivera has died in state custody at the age of 73, according to local media reports citing his family.
At least 46 people, including six children, have been killed in a powerful explosion at a building used to store mining explosives in northeastern Myanmar, according to local media reports.
Thousands of residents blocked Austria’s Brenner motorway on Saturday (30 May), shutting down a major north-south transport route through the Alps in protest against persistent congestion from heavy truck traffic and tourism.
U.S. rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, performed to a crowd of 118,000 people in Istanbul on Saturday night, marking his first concert in Europe in more than a decade, despite being barred from performing in several countries over past antisemitic remarks.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela has secured a fourth successive election victory for his Labour Party, extending its hold on power, though with a reduced majority compared with previous polls.
Nicaraguan indigenous leader and former lawmaker Brooklyn Rivera has died in state custody at the age of 73, according to local media reports citing his family.
At least 46 people, including six children, have been killed in a powerful explosion at a building used to store mining explosives in northeastern Myanmar, according to local media reports.
South Africa's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered an unexpected setback after the national team failed to depart for Mexico as scheduled on Sunday (31 May) because some players and officials had not yet received their visas.
Five people have died after a mine shaft collapsed during an illegal mining operation in southwestern China, state media reported on Sunday (31 May), just days after the country's deadliest mining disaster in more than a decade claimed at least 82 lives.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment