Lee Jae-myung has been elected president of South Korea, emerging victorious after his opponent conceded early Wednesday. His win marks a dramatic political comeback for a man long defined by resilience—having survived criminal investigations, a near-fatal stabbing, and the martial law declaration of his political rival, former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Lee, 61, now assumes leadership of a polarized nation grappling with domestic unrest and escalating international tensions. Backed by a significant majority in the National Assembly through his Democratic Party, Lee is expected to wield more power than any recent South Korean leader. Yet, the challenges ahead are formidable.
The country remains politically fractured in the wake of Yoon’s impeachment and removal, with deep rifts across ideological, generational, and gender lines. On the global front, South Korea faces mounting pressures from both its allies and adversaries. The nuclear threat from North Korea looms larger than ever, while the United States, under President Donald Trump’s second administration, has levied tariffs on South Korean exports and demanded increased defense cost-sharing.
Lee has positioned himself as a pragmatist. “I will crawl between his legs if necessary, if that’s what I have to do for my people,” he said of President Trump this week, before quickly adding, “But I am not a pushover, either.” He emphasized a diplomacy based on national interest, seeking balanced relations between global powers while prioritizing South Korea’s sovereignty.
In contrast to his predecessor Yoon, who aligned closely with Washington and Tokyo, Lee is expected to pursue a more nuanced foreign policy. He has pledged to strengthen military ties with the United States, but also to mend relations with China and North Korea. Lee and his Democratic Party have expressed skepticism about deepening ties with Japan, citing unresolved historical grievances.
This shift may raise concerns in Washington. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently warned against nations “seeking both economic cooperation with China and defense cooperation with the United States,” arguing that economic dependence on China could hinder U.S. strategic flexibility.
Still, Lee has rejected claims that he is “pro-China” or “anti-U.S.” “We don’t have to make enemies of other nations,” he said, underlining the importance of maintaining strategic partnerships without alienating regional players.
As he takes office, Lee faces the daunting task of healing domestic divisions while navigating complex global alliances.
