Lee Jae-myung Sworn In As South Korea’s President Following Snap Election Victory

Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as South Korea’s new president on Wednesday, marking a dramatic political comeback just hours after his narrow victory was certified in a snap election triggered by months of unrest. His inauguration comes amid deep national division and growing economic and geopolitical pressures.

His term officially began at 6:21 a.m., following confirmation of his win over Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party. Lee secured 49.42% of the vote, while Kim received 41.15%. Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok, also a conservative, garnered 8.34%.

In a speech at a scaled-down inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly, Lee pledged to unite a nation still reeling from the fallout of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law attempt last December.

“Regardless of who you supported in this presidential election, I will become a president who embraces and serves all the people,” Lee said.

Throughout his campaign, Lee framed the election as a battle for the future of South Korean democracy—an idea he emphasized again on Wednesday.

“I will become a president who ends the politics of division,” he declared. “I will overcome the crisis by using national unity as my driving force. I will restore what was lost and destroyed by the insurrection.”

He also suggested that South Korea’s response to recent democratic challenges could serve as a global model: “Our nation has become a clear example for people around the world who are looking for a new way forward for democracy in crisis.”

Lee takes office amid serious challenges, with the economy topping the list. South Korea’s economy contracted in the first quarter, and the country now faces tense trade negotiations after U.S. President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50% on the same day Lee was sworn in.

Calling the election “a turning point of great change,” Lee promised to revive 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.

Once known as a progressive firebrand during his time as mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province, Lee moderated his image during the campaign, positioning himself as a centrist. He now promises a “pragmatic, market-oriented government” and has vowed major investments in science and technology, particularly in artificial intelligence.

On bridging the country’s political divide, he was blunt: “Let’s send old ideologies to the museum of history. 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.”

Lee also touched on national security and diplomacy, noting the growing threat posed by North Korea. He expressed intent to maintain and build on the trilateral alliance with the U.S. and Japan, though he promised to approach foreign policy with a practical, interest-driven mindset.

“We will prepare for North Korea’s nuclear weapons and military provocations, while opening channels of communication and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation,” he said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Lee, affirming the strength of the alliance.

“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. “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.”