Democratic Party of South Korea candidate Lee Jae-myung is projected to win the South Korean presidential election, marking a sharp change in direction for the nation.
Lee rode a wave of resentment toward ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol of the People Power Party, blaming the disgraced statesman and his cohort for the nation’s political instability before and after his short-lived martial law decree.
“I will not forget for one moment the mission you expect from me and have entrusted me, and will definitely, absolutely carry it out without ever straying from it,” Lee said in his first speech to supporters after being projected as the winner.
He is set to take office as president on Wednesday.
“We’ve proved that that power is not to be used for the president’s personal interests, but for the bright future of this country,” he said.
Lee vowed to foster “unity” and “recover the democracy of the country.”
With his party controlling the National Assembly, Lee will enjoy a political climate with few obstructions from the disorganized and muddled conservative opposition.
The People Power Party is struggling to recover from the negative press and voter disillusionment caused by Yoon’s ill-fated power grab at the end of last year.
The party has repeatedly apologized for the incident, but lost a significant portion of conservative voters who felt betrayed.
People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo acknowledged his defeat as data from the National Elections Commission showed Lee was surging to victory.
“I humbly accept the decision by the people,” Kim said. “I also congratulate the candidate Lee Jae-myung on his election.”
Neither Lee Jun-seok with the New Reform Party nor Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labor Party managed to come within striking distance of the major candidates.
In a noteworthy series of comments about his policies, Lee promised to pursue peace with North Korea, noting the “security concerns” presented by tensions that escalated under Yoon.
“I will work to build a peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula where coexistence is possible,” Lee said in his speech. “While firmly exercising deterrence against the North through strong national defense, I believe it is better to win without fighting than to win through fighting — and better still to create a peace where fighting isn’t necessary at all.”
Lee continued, “With this conviction, I will pursue dialogue, communication, and coexistence with the North, working together to find a path toward mutual cooperation and shared prosperity.”
During the campaign season, Kim accused Lee and other rival politicians of playing too soft with North Korea and China.
Critics have said Lee’s openness to dialogue with two major opponents of Western liberal democracy threatens the nation’s relationship with the United States.
By far, Lee’s most pressing matters as he takes office are normalizing the government, securing public trust, and regaining faith in Seoul.
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Tackling those matters may prove difficult, as Lee is currently embroiled in several trials related to an alleged property development scheme and is facing multiple bribery charges.
He is also accused of violating election law after allegedly making false statements during a debate in the last campaign. He was convicted, but the case is now being taken up by an appeals court.