Lee Jae-Myung sworn in as South Korea’s president

Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as South Korea’s new president on Wednesday, just hours after the National Election Commission certified his victory in a snap election that ended months of political unrest

His term officially began at 6:21 a.m., following the NEC’s confirmation of his win over conservative People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo. Lee secured 49.42% of the vote, while Kim received 41.15%. Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok finished third with 8.34%.

During a modest inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly, Lee promised to bridge the deep political divides that widened following former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed attempt to impose martial law last December.

“Regardless of who you supported in this presidential election, I will become a president of all who embraces and serves all the people,” Lee said in his address.

Throughout his campaign, Lee portrayed the election as a pivotal battle for the future of South Korean democracy—a theme he continued in his inauguration speech.

“I will become a president who ends the politics of division,” he said. “I will overcome the crisis by using national unity as my driving force. I will restore what was lost and destroyed by the insurrection.”

He added that South Korea had become “a clear example for people around the world who are looking for a new way forward for democracy in crisis.”

Lee takes office facing significant challenges, particularly on the economic front. South Korea’s economy contracted in the first quarter, and tensions with the United States have intensified after President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Korean steel and aluminum to 50% on Wednesday.

Calling the election “a turning point of great change,” Lee vowed to jumpstart economic recovery.

“It is time to revive the people’s livelihoods that have been driven to the brink, restore growth and create a tomorrow where everyone is happy,” he said.

Known in the past as a progressive firebrand during his time as mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province, Lee ran his presidential campaign as a centrist. On Wednesday, he emphasized a market-friendly stance, saying, “My administration will be a pragmatic market-oriented government.”

He reaffirmed pledges to boost investment in science and technology, aiming to build one of the world’s leading artificial intelligence industries. He also reiterated his commitment to political healing.

“Let’s send old ideologies to the museum of history,” Lee said. “From now on, there will be no problems for progressives. From now on, there will be no problems for conservatives. There will only be problems of the people and of the Republic of Korea.”

Lee briefly addressed security issues, including the threat posed by a nuclear-armed North Korea. He said he would maintain strong ties with the U.S. and Japan—continuing the trilateral alliance advanced by Yoon—but added that his foreign policy would be rooted in “national interests and practicality.”

Unlike his predecessor’s hardline stance, Lee signaled a willingness to engage with Pyongyang.

“We will prepare for North Korea’s nuclear weapons and military provocations, while opening channels of communication with North Korea and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation,” he said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Lee on his victory, reaffirming the strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.

“The United States and the Republic of Korea share an ironclad commitment to the alliance grounded in our Mutual Defense Treaty, shared values and deep economic ties,” Rubio said. “We will also continue to deepen U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral cooperation to bolster regional security, enhance economic resilience and defend our shared democratic principles.”

Assembling his cabinet on his first day in office, Lee nominated Democratic Party lawmaker and campaign aide Kim Min-seok as prime minister. He also tapped former Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok to lead the National Intelligence Service. Both nominees will require confirmation hearings. Democratic Party Rep. Kang Hoon-sik will serve as Lee’s chief of staff.

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