Presidential elections in South Korea. Li Dze Mjung won

Early presidential election in South Korea was won by the candidate of the Opposition Democratic Party, Liberal Li Dze Mjung, defeating conservative Kima Mun Su. Official voting results were announced on Wednesday. Accelerated elections were organized after removing the previous head of the state from power.

Early elections in South Korea were held six months after the then president of Jun Jeron Jerol announced only six hours of martial law. His decision of December 3 recalled dark memories of military regimes in South Korea and plunged the country in economic and political crisis. Jun was removed from power on December 14 by the decision of the National Assembly. The Constitutional Tribunal approved the application for Impeachment Juna on April 4, which meant the need to write early elections.

In Tuesday's accelerated elections, the candidate of the Liberal Democratic Party Li Mjung won the decisive victory. On Wednesday, the 61-year-old was officially approved as the President by the National Electoral Commission and immediately covered the rights of the head of state and the chief commander of the army.

Li won 49.42 percent of the votes, while his rival, conservative Kim Mun Su – 41.15 percent. The turnout was 79.4 percent.

On Wednesday, he appointed his adviser and colleague from the democratic party Kim min Seok as a candidate for the office of prime minister.

Challenges before the new president

As Reuters writes, the new president has many challenges ahead of him – from healing a deeply marked country, to an attempt to deal with unpredictable, protectiveist moves of the United States, the Chief Trade Partner and South Korea ally. Before Li, among others Conversations with the president USA Donald Trump regarding customs.

During the speech in the parliament, after taking the oath, he declared that his government would be a “government of unity and flexible pragmatism.” After sworn in for a five -year term, which took place a few hours after the official results of Tuesday elections, Li emphasized the need to rebuild the country after a period of chaos. – We will restore what has been destroyed by the coup, including people's lives, economy, national security, peace and democracy, and build a society that will constantly grow and develop in a sustainable way – he assured.

The new president noted that diplomacy will be guided by the national interest. “We will strengthen three -way cooperation with the United States and Japan,” he said, adding that relations with neighboring countries will be developed from the perspective of practicality. In terms of North Korea, Li declared that Seul would keep full readiness in the face of the threats from Pyongyang, at the same time – as he announced – “we will open communication channels and strive for dialogue and cooperation with the North to build a lasting room on the Korean Peninsula.” Li also wants to improve relations with China and Russiacountries that – as he said – “should not be antagonized”.

During election rallies he promised to unite a highly polarized country and build a “real Republic of Korea”. Among his postulates, he declared tightening the requirements regarding the imposition of martial law through the head of state. He also announced constitutional reforms, including Introduction of the president's two -wayness and the second round system in the election.

Li declares actions to revive small and medium -sized enterprises and stimulate a slow economy. He also promised to reduce unevenness and stimulate growth through intensive government investments in technology and talent development.

Mjung's political career

Li gained publicity as the mayor of Seongnam (2010-2018), introducing free social care programs, and then as a governor of Gyeonggi's province (2018-2021), gaining recognition for effective region management during the pandemic. After losing in presidential elections In 2022, with Jun Sucze Jeol, Li won the mandate of the deputy and was elected chairman of the Democratic Party, strengthening his position of the main voice of the opposition.

His attitude, often referred to as populist, focuses on economic justice and limiting unevenness, postulating, among others basic income. His career was not without scandals, including corruption allegations.

Li played a key role in the forcing of the abolition of martial law and putting Jerola's Jeol's Juna in the state of prosecution. His actions put him on the forehead of the presidential race throughout the entire election campaign started in mid -May.