Lee Jae-myung, candidate of the Democratic Party, wins the June 3, 2025, snap presidential election in South Korea with nearly 50% of the vote, marking a shift after the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol.

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Lee Jae-Myung Poised to Win South Korea’s Presidential Election

South Korea held early presidential elections on June 3, 2025, triggered by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who briefly imposed martial law in December 2024. This election was seen as a referendum on the recent political crisis and the future direction of the country’s democracy. Voter turnout was remarkably high, around 79%, the highest since 1997.

The June 3 election was a snap election, called earlier than the regular schedule due to the political upheaval. According to South Korea’s constitution, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days of a permanent vacancy in the presidency, which led to this accelerated vote aimed at restoring political stability.

Election Results: Lee Jae-myung Declared Winner

According to the National Election Commission and multiple media reports, Lee Jae-myung of the opposition Democratic Party won the presidency with close to 49.4% of the vote, defeating conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, who received about 41.2%. Exit polls predicted a decisive victory for Lee, with around 50% support compared to Kim’s 39%.

Kim Moon-soo conceded defeat shortly after the polls closed, congratulating Lee on his victory. Lee is set to be inaugurated as South Korea’s 14th president, with the ceremony scheduled for June 4, 2025, just hours after the election.

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Lee Jae-myung Wins: A New Era for South Korean Diplomacy? https://t.co/P4K78LxiaU

— JAPAN Forward (@JAPAN_Forward_) June 3, 2025

Political Significance and Challenges Ahead

Lee Jae-myung, a former governor of Gyeonggi Province and mayor of Seongnam, is a left-leaning figure who narrowly lost the 2022 presidential race to Yoon Suk Yeol by a very slim margin. His victory represents a repudiation of the conservative People Power Party, whose reputation was damaged by Yoon’s controversial martial law declaration and subsequent impeachment.

The election results also reflect widespread public dissatisfaction with the political turmoil and a desire to restore democratic stability. Lee’s administration faces the challenge of uniting a divided nation, addressing economic issues, and managing complex international relations, including trade negotiations with the United States.

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