In a historic turn of events, Candidate No. 1 Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was sworn in as the 14th President of South Korea on June 4, immediately following the official certification of his electoral victory by the National Election Commission.
The inauguration, which occurred at 6:21 a.m. local time, came without the traditional transition period due to the abrupt nature of the special election, triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. The election held on June 3 saw Lee secure 49.42% of the vote, defeating conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, who garnered 41.15%.
In his inaugural address near the National Assembly, Lee stated, “I will fulfill the first mission entrusted by the people, to overcome the coup attempt and ensure that military threats will never again endanger our democracy.” He emphasized his commitment to restoring democratic norms, promoting economic recovery, and reducing the hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
Lee also declared his vision for a peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula, advocating for renewed inter-Korean dialogue while maintaining robust national defense.
The new president also called for national unity, denouncing social divisions based on gender, region, age, or employment. “Even if politics divides us, the people should not be divided. My duty is to bring the nation together,” he affirmed.
Joined by his wife, Kim Hye-kyung, Lee paid tribute to the Korean people’s decision and pledged unwavering dedication to their expectations.
Previously, Lee Jae-myung was also the presidential candidate that made headlines for vowing trillions of won in K-content export support and promising to block webtoon piracy sites as part of his cultural expansion plan.
Lee Jae-myung’s ascent to the presidency marks a dramatic chapter in South Korean politics. Born in 1963 into poverty, Lee rose through adversity, working in factories as a child before becoming a lawyer and progressive political figure. His political career has been defined by his advocacy for economic justice and public welfare.
