South Korea's incoming President Lee Jae-
Myung Wants to Unite the Country
Lee Jae-myung, South Korea's president, promised to "unite the people" in his inauguration speech on Wednesday, only hours after being elected.
The 61-year-old won a sudden election with 49.4% of the vote, defeating his competitor, Kim Moon-soo, who belonged to the same party as impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Yoon's effort to implement martial law sparked months of political upheaval, ultimately leading to his impeachment.
As he assumes the presidency, Lee faces the arduous task of not only uniting the country but also managing relations with its most important partner, the United States, under President Trump's unpredictable brand of diplomacy.
The 61-year-old won a sudden election with 49.4% of the vote, defeating his competitor, Kim Moon-soo, who belonged to the same party as impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Yoon's effort to implement martial law sparked months of political upheaval, ultimately leading to his impeachment.
As he assumes the presidency, Lee faces the arduous task of not only uniting the country but also managing relations with its most important partner, the United States, under President Trump's unpredictable brand of diplomacy.
In a direct allusion to his predecessor, the Democratic Party's Lee stated in his speech that he would "never again" allow democratic institutions to be endangered, adding that he would "become a president who ends the politics of division."
Speaking to a throng in front of parliament, where he jumped over the perimeter wall just over six months ago to vote down Yoon's declaration of martial law, Lee blamed the country's political upheaval on "political factions with no desire to work for the lives of the people".
He also promised to create a "flexible, pragmatic government" and said that an emergency economic task group would be "activated immediately".
Speaking to a throng in front of parliament, where he jumped over the perimeter wall just over six months ago to vote down Yoon's declaration of martial law, Lee blamed the country's political upheaval on "political factions with no desire to work for the lives of the people".
He also promised to create a "flexible, pragmatic government" and said that an emergency economic task group would be "activated immediately".
Yoo Gi-won, another Lee admirer, stated, "Yoon's presidency made me feel like the country was about to be devastated. "I saw everyone around me suffering."
"For a while South Korea has been cold place [but now] I'm so, so happy," according to him.
But as the hype fades, Lee will be confronted with a sobering reality.
For starters, he is still on trial in the Supreme Court on charges of breaching election laws. To avoid interference, the court postponed the trial until after the election, as a conviction would have prevented Lee from contesting.
It is unclear what will happen if Lee is found guilty, while the law states that sitting presidents cannot be punished for criminal offenses other than insurrection or treason.
"For a while South Korea has been cold place [but now] I'm so, so happy," according to him.
But as the hype fades, Lee will be confronted with a sobering reality.
For starters, he is still on trial in the Supreme Court on charges of breaching election laws. To avoid interference, the court postponed the trial until after the election, as a conviction would have prevented Lee from contesting.
It is unclear what will happen if Lee is found guilty, while the law states that sitting presidents cannot be punished for criminal offenses other than insurrection or treason.
Even more difficult is his task of bringing together a nation torn apart by deep resentment.
"Years of escalating polarisation under both the [previous] Moon and Yoon administrations have left South Korea's political landscape bitterly divided," claimed Park.
"Lee may speak of national unity, 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."
Despite the PPP's defeat, ex-President Yoon retains a sizable and vociferous support base, which is unlikely to diminish anytime soon.
"Years of escalating polarisation under both the [previous] Moon and Yoon administrations have left South Korea's political landscape bitterly divided," claimed Park.
"Lee may speak of national unity, 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."
Despite the PPP's defeat, ex-President Yoon retains a sizable and vociferous support base, which is unlikely to diminish anytime soon.
His followers, primarily young male voters and the elderly, frequently promote strong right-wing narratives, with many believing that his declaration of martial law was vital to preserve the nation.
Many people also spread conspiracy theories, claiming Yoon's party was the victim of electoral fraud.
With Yoon gone, there are doubts about who will fill the void in this largely young, male fanbase.
One name in particular has emerged: Lee Jun Seok, who campaigned for president but withdrew out earlier on Tuesday because exit polls showed he was trailing too far behind.
He has gained popularity among many young males for his anti-feminist ideas, which have reminded them of Yoon, under whom equality for women became a divisive issue.
Many people also spread conspiracy theories, claiming Yoon's party was the victim of electoral fraud.
With Yoon gone, there are doubts about who will fill the void in this largely young, male fanbase.
One name in particular has emerged: Lee Jun Seok, who campaigned for president but withdrew out earlier on Tuesday because exit polls showed he was trailing too far behind.
He has gained popularity among many young males for his anti-feminist ideas, which have reminded them of Yoon, under whom equality for women became a divisive issue.
Young men in their 30s voted in greater numbers than usual this time, influenced in part by candidates such as Lee Jun-seok.
Those wishing to keep the PPP-led government accountable, as well as those desiring to end Lee Jae-myung's president, drove this year's voter turnout to 79.4%, the highest level since 1997.
And it is in this political context that Lee takes over, trying to turn popular outrage into hope.
Those wishing to keep the PPP-led government accountable, as well as those desiring to end Lee Jae-myung's president, drove this year's voter turnout to 79.4%, the highest level since 1997.
And it is in this political context that Lee takes over, trying to turn popular outrage into hope.
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