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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lee Jae-myung takes office as South Korean president, pledges to unify country
SEOUL, June 4 (UPI) -- Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as South Korea's president on Wednesday, just hours after his victory was certified in a snap election that brought an end to months of political turmoil in the country. Lee's term officially began at 6:21 a.m. when the National Election Commission certified his victory over challenger Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party. The new president received 49.42% of the vote, while Kim garnered 41.15%, the NEC confirmed. Minor conservative Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok finished with 8.34%. In a speech during a scaled-down ceremony at the National Assembly, Lee pledged to unify a country that saw its political divisions grow deeper in the aftermath of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law attempt in December. "Regardless of who you supported in this presidential election, I will become a president of all who embraces and serves all the people," Lee said. During his campaign, Lee framed the election as an existential choice for the future of South Korean democracy, and he echoed that theme in his remarks. "I will become a president who ends the politics of division," he said. "I will overcome the crisis by using national unity as my driving force. I will restore what was lost and destroyed by the insurrection." South Korea "has become a clear example for people around the world who are looking for a new way forward for democracy in crisis," he added. Lee inherits a raft of challenges as president, with economic concerns at the top of the list. South Korea saw its economy shrink in the first quarter of the year, and the export-driven country is facing tariff negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump, who doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50% on Wednesday. In his remarks, Lee said the election was a "turning point of great change" and vowed to stimulate economic growth. "It is time to revive the people's livelihoods that have been driven to the brink, restore growth and create a tomorrow where everyone is happy," he said. Lee, who rose to fame as a progressive firebrand during his tenure as mayor of Seongam and then governor of Gyeonggi Province, recast himself as a centrist during the campaign. On Wednesday, Lee said his administration "will be a pragmatic market-oriented government." He reiterated campaign pledges to invest heavily in science and technology, with a heavy focus on developing one of the world's top artificial intelligence industries. Lee also vowed to take a pragmatic approach toward healing the country's deep political divides. "Let's send old ideologies to the museum of history," he said. "From now on, there will be no problems for progressives. From now on, there will be no problems for conservatives. There will only be problems of the people and of the Republic of Korea." The 60-year-old briefly touched on pressing geopolitical concerns during his remarks, including an increasingly dangerous nuclear-armed North Korea. Lee said he would continue to strengthen cooperation with the United States and Japan -- a trilateral alliance that Yoon championed -- but said Seoul would "approach relations with neighboring countries from the perspective of national interests and practicality." While Yoon and the PPP's Kim took a hardline approach toward Pyongyang, Lee pledged during his campaign to reopen communications with Seoul's recalcitrant neighbor. "We will prepare for North Korea's nuclear weapons and military provocations, while opening channels of communication with North Korea and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation," Lee said. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Lee on his election victory Wednesday and affirmed the strong ties between the allies. "The United States and the Republic of Korea share an ironclad commitment to the alliance grounded in our Mutual Defense Treaty, shared values and deep economic ties," Rubio said in a statement. "We will also continue to deepen U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral cooperation to bolster regional security, enhance economic resilience and defend our shared democratic principles," he said. Lee began assembling his cabinet on Wednesday, nominating one of his top campaign aides, Democratic Party Rep. Kim Min-seok, as his candidate for prime minister. He also tapped former Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok to head the National Intelligence Service, the nation's top spy agency. Both nominees must undergo confirmation hearings. Lee's chief of staff will be Democratic Party Rep. Kang Hoon-sik.
Free Malaysia Today
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
After PKR polls, full focus now on Sabah state election
PKR members must no longer be caught in post-election division, said Sabah PKR leadership council chairman Mustapha Sakmud. (Bernama pic) KOTA KINABALU : With the conclusion of the party's central leadership polls last Friday, Sabah PKR is shifting its full focus to the upcoming state election, which is expected to be held soon. Mustapha Sakmud. Sabah PKR leadership council chairman Mustapha Sakmud said the state election would be a timely opportunity to reunite members following the party polls that brought a wave of emotions and challenges for candidates, delegates and members. The Sepanggar MP said the state election would also serve as a true test of the party's organisational strength, political maturity, and unity as a team. Mustapha, who is also the deputy higher education minister, said the people of Sabah are less concerned about who holds positions, and more about who can genuinely address their everyday needs. 'Party members must no longer be caught in post-election division. Instead, we need a united front, focussed on our shared responsibilities,' he said in a statement today. He expressed confidence that PKR will continue to be a party that values the experience and loyalty of long-serving members, while also welcoming fresh voices and new energy willing to contribute. 'I believe the party's strength lies not in who holds office, but in the spirit of our struggle, and the conviction that politics must be cleaned up, humanised, and guided by strong values,' he said.
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Sabah PKR turns focus on state election, says unity key after fraught party polls
KOTA KINABALU, May 25 — With the party's central leadership polls concluded last Friday, Sabah PKR is now shifting its full focus to the upcoming state election which is expected to be held soon. Sabah PKR Leadership Council chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud described the state election as a timely opportunity to reunite party members following the polls that brought with it a wave of emotions and challenges for candidates, delegates and members. The Sepanggar MP said the state election would also serve as a true test of the party's organisational strength, political maturity, and unity as a team. Mustapha, who is also the Deputy Higher Education Minister, stressed that the people of Sabah are less concerned about who holds positions, and more about who can genuinely address their everyday needs. 'Party members must no longer be caught in post-election divisions. Instead, we need a united front, focused on our shared responsibilities and ready to shoulder the people's trust,' he said in a statement today. He expressed confidence that PKR will continue to be a party that values the experience and loyalty of long-serving members, while also welcoming fresh voices and new energy willing to contribute. 'I believe the party's strength lies not in who holds office, but in the spirit of our struggle and the conviction that politics must be cleaned up, humanised, and guided by strong values,' he added. — Bernama
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama legislators celebrate end of session with ‘Napoleon Bracy Bow Tie Day'
PRICHARD, Ala. (WKRG) — Members of the Alabama House of Representatives celebrated the final day of the legislative session with a day named for a Prichard representative. Foley's Rose Trail gets a new sculpture (look) Representatives wore bow ties on the final day to celebrate the 13th annual 'Napoleon Bracy Bow Tie Day.' 'The tradition began with Representative Napoleon Bracy Jr. (D-Prichard), who is the only representative who wears bow ties every day in the State House, to encourage unity within the body and to ensure that each session concludes on an upbeat and bipartisan note,' read an Alabama House Democratic Caucus news release. According to the release, some of the bow ties the other representatives wear belong to Bracy, who brings them to the house. 2 Okaloosa County roads to close for Eglin Air Force mission 'Especially during this time when there seems to be so much political partisanship and extremism, Bow Tie Day is more important than ever,' Bracy said. 'It helps remind legislators on both sides of the aisle that we're here to serve all of the people of Alabama, regardless of their political affiliation or ideology.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
South Korean presidential candidate's ‘now more than ever' Reebok sneakers sell out at 10x price
A pair of red and blue sneakers worn by South Korean presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung at his campaign launch have unexpectedly become a trend, with pairs selling out in official stores across the country. On 12 May, Lee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, deviated from the traditional dress shoes to change into a pair of Reebok's Classic Leather GY1522 sneakers to set off his 22-day official campaign period for the forthcoming 3 June election. The election was announced after the impeachment and subsequent dismissal of the former conservative president Yoon Suk Yeol, a member of the People Power Party, in December over his ill-fated imposition of martial law. The two primary colours in the central yin-and-yang symbol at the heart of the South Korean flag – red and blue – are also commonly used to signify political alignment in the country, with red typically associated with conservative parties and blue with the liberals. Lee's decision to wear these particular sneakers was a conscious choice: it aims to play up one of his pledges, to unite South Korea's liberal and conservative voters. 'We don't have to distinguish between left and right, red and blue... Do we have the luxury of being so biased?' he asked in a campaign stop in the southeastern city of Daegu, according to a translation by The Korea Herald. 'We no longer have time to fight over ideology. There are no longer progressive or conservative problems, but only Korean citizens' problems,' he said at another rally. Additionally, the sneakers were customised with an embroidered patch on the left that read 'Lee Jae-myung, Now More Than Ever'. Another on the right read: 'From now on, the real Republic of Korea.' These particular line of sneakers that have unexpectedly become a sought-after piece of election merchandise were originally launched in 2022, retailing at 89,000 won (£47.93), according to local media. Far from being a hot item, the shoes were previously marked down by as much as 60 per cent, suggesting limited interest among Korean consumers, until the sudden spike in demand saw them wiped from shelves. Resales are going for 10 times the original price, according to reports. At the time of publishing, they remained unavailable on Reebok's official website in Korea, and local media reported the same situation at major local e-commerce platforms as well as offline stores. However, the shoes immediately cropped up on reseller websites soon, being sold at high marked-up prices. On Gmarket and Auction, they were being sold for 339,300 won (£182.7), almost 10 times higher than the marked down price of 35,600 won (£19.1), according to Chosun Biz. A reseller on South Korean online platform Naver was also reportedly offering them for 145,500 won (£78.3), but in only one size. Local media reported that with all of the domestic inventory sold out, restocking seems next to impossible. Buyers will likely have to wait until fresh imports come in, likely from manufacturing sites in countries like Vietnam. Additionally, a spokesperson from Reebok Korea confirmed that they couldn't anticipate how long the wait would be, since no official decision on additional imports had been made yet, according to The Korea Times.
