Seoul: Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung secured the presidency on Wednesday, marking a dramatic political turnaround following months of upheaval over the impeachment and removal of his former opponent, who faced backlash for a failed attempt to impose martial law.
Lee's victory comes after his narrow defeat to former President Yoon Suk Yeol in the 2022 election, where he lost by less than one percentage point.
While Yoon's controversial martial law attempt in December set the stage for Lee's rise to power, it also intensified political divisions and heightened challenges, including U.S. tariff policies and North Korea’s advancing nuclear weapons program, according to the Yonhap news agency.
With all votes counted, Lee of the liberal Democratic Party (DP) secured 49.42% of the votes, defeating his conservative People Power Party (PPP) opponent, Kim Moon-soo, who received 41.15%.
Lee won 17.3 million votes, surpassing Kim by 2.9 million votes and setting a new record for the highest number of votes in a presidential election, exceeding Yoon's 16.39 million votes in 2022.
In a speech in Seoul's Yeouido, home to the National Assembly, Lee promised to "overcome the insurrection" and ensure there is no "military coup", a reference to Yoon's attempt to impose martial law.
"I will fulfil my mission of creating a world where democracy is restored and the people are respected as sovereign in a democratic republic while living together in cooperation with each other," he said on a stage where he was joined by his wife, Kim Hye-kyung.
"The moment I am confirmed as the president-elect, I will put all of my strength into reviving the economy and recovering people's livelihoods," he added.
PPP candidate Kim conceded defeat in a press conference at his party's headquarters, saying he "humbly accepts the people's choice" and congratulated Lee on his election.
Expressing gratitude for the public’s support, Lee credited the people's resilience for the country’s continued progress despite ongoing crises.
The election came exactly six months after former President Yoon’s surprise declaration of martial law, an event that stirred painful memories of past military regimes and plunged the nation into one of its most severe economic and political crises in decades.
Lee campaigned on a promise to defeat the "insurrection forces" led by Yoon, following his impeachment and removal from office less than three years into his five-year term.
Meanwhile, Kim capitalised on Lee’s ongoing legal battles and assertive leadership style, pledging to steer the country away from what he described as “dictatorship”.
Of the total 44.39 million eligible voters nationwide, some 35.24 million, or 79.4 per cent, had cast their ballots, the highest rate since the 1997 election, when the turnout came to 80.7 per cent, according to the National Election Commission (NEC).
The inauguration ceremony is expected to take place later in the day at the National Assembly.
A total of five candidates vied for the nation's top political office after two dropped out during the campaign.
(inputs from IANS)