South Korea Elects Liberal Leader Following Martial Law Debacle

Lee Jae-myung, who transformed from a poor childhood to become a prominent liberal politician in South Korea, is set to be inaugurated as the country’s next president on Wednesday following an election that marked the end of a tumultuous period in its young democracy. Lee, 60, representing the liberal opposition Democratic Party, will take over from Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative leader who faced criticism for briefly imposing martial law in December.

There is uncertainty regarding whether Lee’s presidency will bring immediate changes in South Korea’s foreign policy. Lee, who has been previously accused of favoring China and North Korea over the U.S. and Japan, has emphasized the importance of South Korea’s alliance with the U.S. as a cornerstone of its foreign relations.

The new president will face challenges such as U.S. tariffs and North Korea’s nuclear program. Despite this, experts believe that significant progress on these issues may be limited regardless of who takes office.

With over 99% of the votes counted, Lee secured 49.3% of the votes, while conservative candidate Kim Moon Soo trailed behind with 41.3%, making it impossible for him to catch up mathematically.

Lee’s victory was anticipated as pre-election polls indicated strong public dissatisfaction with the conservatives following Yoon’s martial law controversy. Kim conceded defeat before the formal announcement of Lee’s win, accepting the people’s decision and congratulating Lee.

Lee, who has served as governor and mayor, is known for his sharp criticisms of the conservative establishment and calls for a more assertive foreign policy. He aims to address economic inequality and corruption in the country but has faced criticism for being divisive and not keeping promises.

In terms of foreign policy, Lee plans to pursue pragmatic diplomacy and strengthen ties with the U.S. and Japan. However, his approach may not differ significantly from that of South Korea’s conservatives.

The new president also aims to improve relations with North Korea but acknowledges the challenges in holding a summit with Kim Jong Un in the near future. Lee’s stance aligns with the need for diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and North Korea, with hopes of progress in engaging North Korea under the current leadership in both countries.