Just hours after being declared the winner of South Korea’s snap presidential election, Lee Jae-myung pledged to “unite the people” in his inaugural speech on Wednesday, marking a new chapter for a country shaken by months of political turmoil.
Lee, 61, secured victory with 49.4% of the vote, defeating rival Kim Moon-soo in a contest seen by many as a public rejection of former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration. Yoon, who came from the same party as Kim, was impeached after attempting to impose martial law, sparking nationwide protests and political chaos.
Addressing supporters outside the National Assembly — where he famously scaled a perimeter wall six months ago to block Yoon’s controversial move Lee promised to restore trust in government. “Never again will our democratic institutions be put at risk,” he said. “I will be a president who ends the politics of division.”
Lee accused political factions of prioritizing power over the people, and announced the immediate formation of an emergency economic task force. He also called for a flexible and pragmatic government to navigate the country through its challenges.
His rise to power is remarkable, given his past entanglements in corruption probes and personal controversies. Yet analysts say his win was fueled more by public outrage than by wholehearted endorsement.
“This election was a judgment on the December 3 martial law attempt and a demand to restore democracy,” National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik told BBC Korean. Political strategist Park Sung-min echoed this view, noting that voters were expressing dissatisfaction rather than enthusiastic support.
Outside parliament, the mood among Lee’s supporters was jubilant. I stayed up all night just to witness the inauguration, said Leo Kil, a software engineer. “I believe he’ll fulfill his promise to create a fair society where justice prevails.
Yoo Gi-won, another supporter, added: “Yoon’s presidency made the country feel hopeless. But now, I feel hopeful again.”
But the road ahead for President Lee is far from smooth. He still faces a pending Supreme Court trial for alleged election law violations. Though presidents are immune from prosecution while in office except in cases of insurrection or treason the uncertainty lingers.
Beyond legal troubles, Lee faces a more pressing task: healing a deeply polarized society. South Korea’s political rifts widened under both the Moon and Yoon administrations, and Lee’s vow to unify the nation will be tested by how he handles calls for accountability without deepening divisions.
Meanwhile, the conservative base that once supported Yoon remains strong, especially among young men and older voters. Some continue to defend Yoon’s martial law declaration and spread claims of election fraud.
As the political landscape shifts, one figure gaining attention is Lee Jun-seok, a young, outspoken former presidential hopeful known for his anti-feminist rhetoric. Though he dropped out of the race, his popularity among younger male voters could signal a new force within the conservative bloc.
This election drew a high turnout of 79.4% the highest since 1997 driven by both anger and hope. Now, all eyes are on Lee Jae-myung to see whether he can turn a protest vote into a presidency of progress.
