SEOUL, South Korea – June 4, 2025
Liberal opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has secured victory in South Korea’s snap presidential election, defeating conservative challenger Kim Moon Soo in a vote triggered by the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol.

Lee is set to become South Korea’s next president after preliminary vote counts and exit polls showed him winning by a significant margin. With more than 86% of ballots counted, Lee led with over 48% of the vote, while Kim trailed at 42.7%.

Kim conceded early Wednesday morning, saying he “humbly accepts the people’s choice” and offered his congratulations to Lee. In his victory speech, Lee vowed to “move forward with hope” and promised not to disappoint the South Korean people.

This election followed months of political unrest. In December 2024, former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law — an unprecedented act since South Korea’s democratic transition in 1987. He was impeached and formally removed from office in April 2025 by the Constitutional Court.

Exit Polls Showed Strong Lead for Lee

Earlier exit polls conducted by major broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS indicated a landslide for Lee, projecting him with 51.7% of the vote compared to Kim’s 39.3%. A spokesperson from Lee’s Democratic Party hailed the result as a “fiery judgment” on the previous administration.

Legal and Political Challenges Ahead

Despite his victory, Lee faces ongoing legal challenges, including multiple investigations and a postponed retrial on charges related to alleged campaign law violations in 2022. The retrial is scheduled for June 18, two weeks after the election.

Lee, 60, a former governor and lawmaker, narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential race. This time, he positioned himself as a unifier promising economic reform, reduced inequality, and the restoration of democratic values.

Kim’s Conservative Campaign Falls Short

Kim Moon Soo, a former governor and three-term lawmaker, tried to distance himself from the disgraced Yoon administration, but his ties — including a ministerial appointment by Yoon in 2024 — proved difficult to overcome. His campaign warned of political overreach if Lee won and compared him to authoritarian figures, claims that failed to shift public opinion.

Snap Vote Amid Economic and Foreign Policy Pressures

The election also arrives at a time of economic strain, with the central bank lowering its 2025 growth forecast to 0.8%, citing global trade tensions and weak domestic demand. Newly imposed U.S. tariffs on South Korean steel have already rattled markets, and foreign policy challenges with both Washington and Beijing await the next administration.

Historic Gender Gap in Voter Turnout

The 2025 vote was also marked by a stark gender divide. Lee drew strong support from young female voters, many of whom opposed the anti-feminist policies of the previous administration. The election saw no female candidates — the first all-male presidential race in 18 years.

What’s Next

Lee Jae-myung will officially take office after the National Election Commission completes vote validation, expected later on Wednesday. With his party already holding a parliamentary majority, his presidency is likely to bring swift shifts in policy direction, both domestically and internationally.