Lee Jae-myung Sworn in as South Korea’s 21st President, Vows Democratic Renewal
Seoul, June 4, 2025 — Lee Jae-myung was officially sworn in as the 21st President of South Korea on Wednesday, following a historic snap election victory. The liberal candidate from the Democratic Party assumed office at 6:21 AM, shortly after the National Election Commission (NEC) approved his win in a plenary session, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Lee, 61, emerged victorious in a high-stakes presidential by-election held to replace former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was ousted over an alleged attempt to impose martial law. With 94.4% of the vote counted, Lee secured 48.8%, while his main rival, Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party, trailed with 42.0%, as reported by Xinhua.
Major South Korean broadcasters, including JTBC, KBS, MBC, and SBS, had projected Lee’s win early, making his ascension to the presidency a foregone conclusion by midnight. The by-election’s format allowed for no transition period, resulting in Lee’s immediate inauguration.
In his victory speech at the National Assembly, Lee promised a sweeping transformation of South Korean politics and governance. “We will restore democracy, revive the economy, protect public safety, and ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula,” he declared. He also stressed the importance of national unity, calling for an end to political polarization and rejecting authoritarianism.
Reuters noted that Lee now faces one of the most complex governance challenges in South Korea in nearly three decades. He must rebuild a deeply divided nation while navigating international headwinds, including growing protectionism from key allies such as the United States.
Known for his rags-to-riches rise from child laborer to political heavyweight, Lee previously served as Governor of Gyeonggi Province and Mayor of Seongnam. A polarizing yet influential figure, he gained prominence by fiercely criticizing the conservative establishment and calling for economic reforms aimed at reducing inequality and corruption.
In foreign policy, Lee has signaled a recalibration. While reaffirming the South Korea-U.S. alliance, he aims to balance relations with China and Russia, emphasizing their regional and economic importance. According to the Korea Herald, Lee has consistently warned against binary geopolitical alignments, advocating for strategic autonomy.
With expectations high and a country in need of healing, President Lee’s term begins under intense national and global scrutiny, promising both sweeping change and complex diplomacy.
