Lee Jae-myung elected President of South Korea; Kim Moon-soo concedes defeat: Media
Liberal opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has been elected president of South Korea, multiple South Korean media outlets reported on Tuesday (June 3). With 93% of the ballots counted, Lee had 48.66% of the vote, ahead of his main conservative rival Kim Moon Soo, who garnered 42.26%.
'I humbly accept the people's choice,' Kim told journalists, conceding defeat even before the final tally. 'I congratulate President-elect Lee and wish him success.'
Lee's victory brings to an end months of political upheaval triggered by the short-lived martial law imposed by ousted conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol.
An earlier exit poll by South Korea's top broadcasters — KBS, MBC, and SBS — projected Lee to win 51.7% of the vote, well ahead of Kim's 39.3%. Pre-election polls had also indicated a likely victory for Lee, fueled by widespread public anger toward the conservatives following Yoon's controversial imposition of martial law.
Lee, a former child laborer, rose to political prominence as mayor of Seongnam and later as governor of Gyeonggi province. His campaign capitalised on voter anger toward the conservative establishment and economic inequality.
Known for his sharp critiques of the political elite, Lee's rise was built on promises of social reform.
While Lee has previously faced criticism for leaning toward China and North Korea, he has in recent months worked to reaffirm South Korea's alliance with the US and promote a trilateral relationship with the US and Japan.
Our alliance with the United States will remain the cornerstone of South Korea's foreign policy, Lee stated during his campaign.
He has taken a cautious approach to North Korea, saying he's open to dialogue but skeptical about any near-term summit with Kim Jong Un. 'It will be very difficult,' Lee admitted, 'but we must remain open to peaceful engagement.'
On trade tensions, Lee advised patience, arguing it would be a mistake to rush negotiations in pursuit of an early agreement with Washington. Kim Moon Soo has said he would meet with Trump as soon as possible.
Lee faces a tough diplomatic landscape, with US tariff pressure under Donald Trump and North Korea's advancing nuclear arsenal posing immediate challenges.
Domestically, Lee inherits a politically polarised country. His critics label him a populist who may deepen divisions. Kim Moon Soo, in his concession, warned that Lee's win could lead to an 'excessive concentration of power.'
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