Liberal Party Candidate Lee Jae-myung has secured a storming victory in the South Korean Presidential Elections on Tuesday. The newly elected President, however, will not enjoy the two-month transition period and will take office immediately. He has been elected to fill the empty hole after martial law brought down former President Yoon Suk Yeol last December.
The highest turnout for a presidential election since 1997 saw Lee securing 49.3% against PPP candidate Kim Moon-soo, who gained 41.3%. South Korean eligible voters have rejected the military dictatorship by electing the Liberal Party candidate. Meanwhile, Lee’s campaign was mainly focused on strengthening South Korea’s democracy. He will have to unite the country and shape a crisis after a tumultuous past six months.
Who Is Lee Jae-Myung?
61-year-old Lee Jae-Myung was once a human rights lawyer. The new South Korean President belongs to a remote mountain village and was born to an impoverished farming family. As a child, he used to work in chemical factories, which has left him with impaired hearing and an arm deformity. Over time, he emerged as a human rights lawyer and entered the political world.
PM Modi Congratulates New President Of The Republic Of Korea
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his X on Wednesday to congratulate Lee on his historical win. He wrote, “Congratulations to Mr Lee Jae-Myung on being elected as the President of the Republic of Korea. Look forward to working together to further expand and strengthen the India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership.”
Congratulations to Mr Lee Jae-Myung on being elected as the President of the Republic of Korea. Look forward to working together to further expand and strengthen the India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership.@Jaemyung_Lee
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 4, 2025