Lee Jae-myung becomes the new president of South Korea

Lee Jae-myung becomes the new president of South Korea

In the extraordinary presidential election held in South Korea, Lee Jae-myung, the candidate of the opposition United Democratic Party, won with 49.25% of the vote. His opponent, Kim Moon-soo of the ruling Civic Power Party, received 41.40%. Voter turnout was 77.8% - the highest in 28 years.
Lee previously narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election. During his campaign, he promised to improve relations with North Korea and strengthen economic cooperation.
The new president was born in 1963, studied law, served as mayor of Seongnam, and is running for president for the third time.
Former President Yun Seok-yol was impeached by parliament in 2024 after attempting to declare martial law in the country and was permanently removed from office by a decision of the Constitutional Court.