Hours after securing a narrow victory in South Korea’s snap presidential election, Lee Jae-myung has vowed to “unite the people” in his inaugural address on Wednesday. The 61-year-old former opposition candidate won the election with 49.4% of the vote, defeating Kim Moon-soo, his rival and member of the same political party as the impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Lee’s ascension to power comes at a tumultuous time in South Korea’s political landscape. The country, still reeling from the chaos sparked by Yoon’s attempts to impose martial law, now faces an uncertain future. Yoon’s controversial actions, which led to his impeachment, left a divided public, with many questioning the integrity of the government and its handling of democracy.
In his speech, Lee made a pointed reference to his predecessor, promising that under his leadership, South Korea’s democratic institutions would never again be threatened. “I will become a president who ends the politics of division,” Lee declared before a crowd outside the National Assembly. His remarks, which followed a dramatic moment when Lee scaled the Assembly wall six months ago to vote down Yoon’s martial law, emphasized his commitment to restoring democratic values and tackling political factions that have hindered the progress of the people.
Lee’s path to the presidency has not been without controversy. Despite a series of political scandals, including investigations into alleged corruption and family disputes, analysts note that his victory represents a public backlash against the former president’s authoritarian tendencies. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik shared with BBC Korean, “The people judged the December 3 martial law incident as a violation of democracy, and this election reflected the public’s demand to restore democratic principles.”
Public frustration with Yoon’s administration was also echoed by Park Sung-min, president of Min Consulting, who stated that voters were less driven by strong support for Lee’s platform than by a collective need to address the breakdown of democracy. “The election became a vehicle for expressing outrage… and was a clear rebuke of the ruling party,” Park commented.
The excitement of Lee’s supporters was palpable on inauguration day, with many waiting in anticipation to witness the president’s first steps in office. “I believe he will deliver on his promises, like creating a fair society,” said Leo Kil, a software engineer. His words reflect high hopes that Lee will enforce accountability and justice in a system shaken by years of political turmoil.
However, Lee’s presidency will be a delicate balancing act. While he has promised to bring about change, he is still embroiled in a Supreme Court trial over allegations of election law violations. The trial was postponed until after the election to avoid interference, but the outcome of the case could have significant repercussions for Lee’s political future, especially considering South Korean law prohibits sitting presidents from prosecution, except in cases of insurrection or treason.
Furthermore, the political climate remains deeply polarized. South Korea’s political landscape has been bitterly divided under both the Moon and Yoon administrations. The presence of a strong support base for the former president, particularly among young male voters and the elderly, presents a challenge for Lee as he seeks to bridge these divides. Many of Yoon’s supporters continue to believe his declaration of martial law was necessary for the nation’s security, and some still believe in conspiracy theories surrounding alleged election fraud.
Another notable figure is Lee Jun-seok, a former presidential candidate whose anti-feminist views resonated with many young men. His populist stance has led to his rise as a key figure for those disillusioned with Lee Jae-myung’s presidency. With an impressive 79.4% voter turnout, the highest since 1997, this election revealed not just support for Lee, but also a potent desire to hold the ruling party accountable.
As Lee prepares to take office, he faces the immense challenge of transforming public anger into hope for the future. The coming months will be critical in determining whether he can effectively navigate the political minefield that lies ahead.