Lee Jae-myung Elected President of South Korea, Pledges Economic Revival and National Unity Amid Deep Political Divide

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate for South Korea's Democratic Party, gestures as he greets his supporters in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, June 4, 2025

Lee Jae-myung, a former child laborer who rose from poverty to become one of South Korea’s most prominent liberal politicians, was elected president Wednesday in a sweeping victory that closes a tumultuous chapter in the nation’s democratic history.

Lee, 60, representing the liberal opposition Democratic Party, will assume a full, single five-year term immediately, replacing conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon’s political downfall came after a controversial and short-lived imposition of martial law in December, which triggered widespread unrest and a leadership vacuum.

With more than 97% of the vote counted by 3 a.m. Wednesday, Lee held 49% of the vote, leading his conservative opponent Kim Moon-soo, who secured 41.6%, by a margin of over 2.5 million votes. Pre-election polls had consistently shown Lee as the frontrunner, fueled by public outrage over Yoon’s handling of civil liberties and governance.

Lee Jae–myung has emerged from South Korea's recent political crisis as a frontrunner to be the next president

Despite the official result not yet being certified, Kim conceded defeat, stating he “humbly accepts the people’s choice” and congratulated Lee. Lee addressed thousands of jubilant supporters in Seoul, emphasizing themes of reconciliation and reform. While not formally declaring victory at the time, he outlined policy goals such as economic revitalization, peace with North Korea, and efforts to bridge political divides.

“Let us move forward with hope and make a fresh start from this moment on,” Lee said. “Though we may have clashed for some time, even those who did not support us are still our fellow citizens of the Republic of Korea.”

Lee’s background as a factory worker and later a labor rights lawyer has long resonated with working-class voters. He previously served as governor of Gyeonggi Province and mayor of Seongnam, gaining notoriety for his fierce criticism of corruption and conservative dominance in South Korean politics. Supporters view him as a reformist capable of overhauling entrenched systems of inequality and cronyism, while critics warn of his populist streak and perceived inconsistency.

National Electoral Commission members sort out ballots for counting during the presidential election in Seoul, South Korea, June 3, 2025

On foreign policy, Lee is expected to maintain South Korea’s strategic alliance with the United States, while promoting pragmatic diplomacy with neighboring powers. Despite earlier concerns about his stance on China and North Korea, Lee has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the Seoul-Washington partnership and a trilateral approach involving Japan.

Lee has expressed openness to improving relations with North Korea but acknowledged that holding a summit with Kim Jong Un would be “very difficult” in the near term. His approach contrasts with the more ambitious engagement efforts of former liberal President Moon Jae-in but also avoids the hawkish posture of recent conservative administrations.

South Korea faces mounting external challenges, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies and North Korea’s accelerating nuclear weapons program. Experts note that both Lee and Kim Moon-soo refrained from making sweeping foreign policy promises, reflecting limited diplomatic leverage under current geopolitical conditions.

Supporters of Kim Moon Soo, presidential candidate with the People Power Party, attend his campaign rally in Seoul, South Korea, late Monday, June 2, 2025.

Paik Wooyeal, a professor at Yonsei University, said Lee’s advisors understand that denuclearization of North Korea is unlikely in the short term. Unlike President Moon, Lee does not share the same level of nationalist fervor, which could moderate his approach to inter-Korean relations.

Economically, Lee inherits a slowing economy amid global uncertainty. South Korea’s central bank recently slashed its 2025 growth forecast to 0.8%, citing the impact of Trump’s announced 50% tariff hikes on steel and aluminum, coupled with weakening domestic demand.

South Korean trade officials convened an emergency meeting on Monday to prepare a response to the U.S. tariff escalation. Lee has cautioned against hasty negotiations with Washington, advocating a more measured strategy to protect national interests.

Domestically, Lee has pledged to repair political divisions and restore public trust. However, his vow to hold those responsible for Yoon’s martial law declaration accountable has raised concerns of potential political retaliation. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Lee called for a “stern and resolute judgment” against conservatives, while warning in a campaign speech that a Kim victory would bring the “return of rebellion forces” and threaten human rights.

Kim, a former labor minister under Yoon, countered by warning that Lee could accumulate excessive power and deepen political rifts.

The election marks a turning point in South Korea’s democracy, with observers watching closely to see whether Lee can unify a polarized nation, stabilize the economy, and manage a tense regional environment.