Liberal Opposition Leader Wins South Korean Presidential Election

Lee won South Korea’s presidential election with more than 49.3 percent of votes, with over 99 percent of votes counted.

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party and his wife Kim Hea-Kyung celebrate in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on June 4, 2025. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Lee Jae-myung was officially announced the winner of South Korea’s presidential election on June 3. The 61-year-old politician will take office immediately and serve a single, five-year term.

Before Lee’s victory was formally declared, his opponent, and conservative contender, Kim Moon-soo, conceded and congratulated Lee, telling journalists he “humbly accepts the people’s choice.”