Lee Jae-myung wins South Korean presidency in wake of political turmoil

International

IN A dramatic political reversal, South Korea has elected opposition leader Lee Jae-myung as president, marking a striking comeback for the former human rights lawyer, just three years after he narrowly lost the presidency to his now-disgraced predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol.

Lee's victory comes in the shadow of one of South Korea’s most turbulent political periods in recent memory. Yoon’s short-lived attempt to impose martial law triggered mass protests, ultimately leading to his impeachment and removal from office. Still facing criminal charges for abuse of power, Yoon’s downfall fractured his People Power Party (PPP), which entered the snap election disorganized and divided.

Lee’s main challenger, Kim Moon-soo, a former member of Yoon’s cabinet, struggled to overcome the deep political wounds left by his predecessor. Conceding defeat in the early hours of Wednesday, Kim congratulated Lee "on his victory" after weeks of trailing in the polls.

Lee, 61, struck a careful tone in his speech on election night, declaring his priority would be “recovering” South Korea’s democracy. Analysts say this focus helped galvanize voters across the political spectrum.

“Voters weren't necessarily expressing strong support for Lee's agenda, rather they were responding to what they saw as a breakdown of democracy,” said Park Sung-min, president of Min Consulting, in a BBC report.

Park noted that many voters viewed the election as a way to express outrage at the PPP, which had either enabled or failed to stop the martial law bid. In his view, South Koreans were not simply choosing a candidate but making a stand for democratic values.

The PPP's collapse went beyond Yoon’s impeachment. Infighting resulted in two acting presidents being impeached in quick succession, with one later reinstated.

The disarray within the party created a clear opportunity for Lee and the Democratic Party to present a message of order and institutional reform.

But despite his electoral success, Lee inherits a nation still deeply divided. Years of polarisation under both the Moon and Yoon administrations have left political rifts that will not be easy to mend. Park said that while Lee speaks of unity, he faces a difficult dilemma: how to seek accountability for what many see as an attempted insurrection without further deepening existing divisions.

“Lee may speak of national unity,” Park added, “but he faces a profound dilemma: how to pursue accountability for what many view as an attempted insurrection without deepening the very divisions he seeks to heal.”

Lee also begins his presidency under the cloud of legal uncertainty. He is scheduled to stand trial in the Supreme Court for allegedly violating election law, a case that was postponed to avoid interfering with the vote. A conviction could have barred him from running, though the law protects sitting presidents from most prosecutions, with exceptions for treason or insurrection.

His political career has been marked by both resilience and controversy. Lee has survived multiple corruption investigations and public family disputes. Admired by supporters for his working-class background and blunt approach, he also draws criticism for a combative style that has alienated some opponents. After campaigning on a progressive platform in 2022, he pivoted toward the center this year in a bid to appeal to a broader electorate.(MyTVCebu)