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First Post
11-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
South Korea has got a new president, but the challenges remain
Despite Lee Jae-myung's election as president of South Korea, the challenge of healing the national divide and kick-starting growth in Asia's fourth-largest economy remains read more South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung takes his oath during his inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 4. Reuters Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is the new occupant of Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential palace in Seoul, also known as the Blue House. He won the snap presidential election on June 3. Lee succeeds Yoon Suk-yeol, the now-disgraced former president from the conservative People Power Party (PPP), whose short-lived declaration of martial law in December led to his impeachment and unanimous removal from office by the Constitutional Court. With Lee's election, the chaos, confusion, and confrontation that have defined the past six months in South Korea has supposedly ended. But has it really? I'll answer that shortly. Key Issues in the Election The presidential election wasn't due until 2027 and wouldn't have happened this early under normal circumstances. But that changed on the night of December 3, 2024, when former President Yoon shocked the nation by declaring martial law. The move triggered mass protests, and on December 14, parliament voted to impeach him. Under the South Korean Constitution, a snap election must be held within 60 days of the Constitutional Court upholding the impeachment and formally removing the president. Given this backdrop, Yoon's failed martial law bid became the defining issue of the election, pushing all others to the sidelines. Lee campaigned on promises to strengthen democracy and heal a divided nation. He also vowed to prosecute those involved in Yoon's martial law attempt and implement stricter limits on a president's ability to declare such powers. However, other pressing issues remain for Lee to address, without the typical two-month honeymoon period usually granted to South Korean presidents. These include a faltering economy, spiraling prices, the unpredictable trade policies of Donald Trump, worsening ties with North Korea, and the delicate balancing act between China—South Korea's biggest trading partner—and the US, its key strategic ally. A Foregone Conclusion Because the election was framed from the start by the failed martial law, the People Power Party was on the defensive. The result, therefore, felt like a foregone conclusion. Unsurprisingly, it unfolded along expected lines. Lee Jae-myung of the DPK was elected the 21st President of the Republic of Korea, defeating Kim Moon-soo of the ruling PPP. Here's what happened: According to the National Election Commission (NEC), 79.4 per cent of the country's 44.4 million eligible voters cast their ballots—the highest turnout since the 1997 presidential election. Lee Jae-myung secured 49.4 per cent of the vote. Kim Moon-soo of the PPP came second with 41.2 percent. Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, a PPP splinter group, received 8.3 percent. Kwon Young-guk of the hastily formed Democratic Labor Party trailed far behind with 1 percent. Strongest in Decades When Lee lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon Suk-yeol by the narrowest margin in South Korea's democratic history (47.83 per cent to 48.56 per cent), many declared his political career over. But just a year later, in the 2024 legislative elections, he led his party to a resounding victory, securing 173 seats—a two-thirds majority. When Yoon declared martial law on December 3, Lee seized the moment. He stormed the National Assembly in a dramatic late-night session to pass a resolution opposing the declaration, forcing Yoon to reverse his decision within hours. Lee's popularity surged, and, as widely expected, the 61-year-old was swiftly inaugurated on Wednesday, June 3. In a rare occurrence, Lee and his party now control both the presidency and parliament. This dual control makes him one of the most powerful presidents in South Korea's democratic history. It could prove to be a double-edged sword—more on that later. For now, a unified government offers Lee an opportunity to govern assertively until the next legislative election in 2028. He won't need many conservative votes to advance his agenda, while the conservative party itself is mired in internal crisis. The Reality Bites Lee's victory might have seemed inevitable given the conservatives' disarray. The PPP was so divided it struggled to even nominate a candidate before settling on Kim, a former leftist turned far-right firebrand. Given these dynamics, the PPP should have suffered a crushing defeat. But it didn't. And that's the sobering reality. South Korea remains politically fractured, and the post-election crisis is as serious as it was before—if not more so. Fragile Victory Despite an 8-point margin, Lee's victory is more fragile than it first appears. Here's a closer look: If Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok (8.3 per cent of the vote) had not run, the gap between Lee and the PPP would have been much narrower. Excluding two southwestern provinces—DPK strongholds where Lee won over 80 per cent—his lead over the PPP was just 26,000 votes out of nearly 35 million cast. In Seoul, the nation's capital and economic hub, the combined conservative vote exceeded Lee's by 0.5 percent. Rise of the Far Right The right-wing, and especially the far-right, remains a potent force. In conservative heartlands, their support has only grown. The two conservative candidates—Kim (41.15 per cent) and Lee Jun-seok (8.34 per cent)—together garnered more votes than Lee Jae-myung (49.42 per cent). Exit polls show far-right appeal is especially strong among young men. Three-quarters of men in their twenties voted for the two far-right candidates, compared to just over 58 per cent of women in that age group who supported Lee. In the 30s age bracket, around 60 per cent of men voted conservative, while 57 per cent of women voted for Lee. 2017 vs 2025 This isn't South Korea's first post-impeachment snap election. In 2017, following the impeachment of conservative President Park Geun-hye, liberal Moon Jae-in won. History repeated in 2025. Another conservative president was impeached, and another liberal won. But 2017 didn't mark the end of conservatism in South Korea. The same could be true in 2025—if conservatives are willing to reform and rebuild. Decoding Lee Jae-myung If there's one word that defines Lee Jae-myung, it's 'survivor'. He's endured extreme poverty, two suicide attempts, a near-fatal assassination, numerous criminal charges, and the martial law crisis. Now comes his toughest test: leading a deeply divided nation through a host of internal and external challenges. Lee, largely unknown outside South Korea, rose from hardship. According to his memoirs, he was the fifth of seven children in a dirt-poor family. Forced to leave school at 14, he worked in factories, suffering a workplace injury that left his left arm impaired. In 1982, he gained university admission on a full merit scholarship and later passed the notoriously difficult bar exam to become a lawyer. His rags-to-riches story resonates in a country that went from war-torn poverty to economic powerhouse in one generation. Boon or Bane Lee has cultivated an image as a pragmatic reformer focused on economic inequality. His journey from child laborer to lawyer to political leader is inspiring to many. But he's also polarising. Though he maintains his innocence, he faces multiple criminal charges, including bribery and election violations. He's seen by critics as a radical populist with little respect for democratic norms or institutional checks. Whether he becomes a reformist statesman like Kim Dae-jung—or another strongman—depends on his choices in the months ahead. Challenges Ahead Despite the peaceful conduct of this snap election, South Korea faces a long list of pressing issues: Domestically: Deep political and societal polarisation A slipping economy, with a 0.3 per cent contraction in quarter 1 and possible recession in quarter 2 Skyrocketing consumer prices One of the world's lowest birthrates and a rapidly ageing population An urgent need for institutional reform, including a proposed shift to a four-year presidential term with re-election Externally: Navigating between China (biggest trading partner) and the US (strategic ally) Restarting dialogue with North Korea after three years of deteriorating ties Coping with US President Donald Trump's unpredictable trade policies Managing the North Korea–Russia military partnership Most urgent of all: healing the national divide and kick-starting growth in Asia's fourth-largest economy. And What If… As the celebration fades, Lee faces a sobering reality. He is still on trial in the Supreme Court for election law violations. The trial was postponed to avoid influencing the vote. A conviction could have disqualified him from running. Now that he's president, the law states he cannot be prosecuted for criminal offenses—except for treason or insurrection. But it's unclear what happens if he's found guilty. That uncertainty may hang over his presidency for months to come. The author is a multi-disciplinary thought leader with Action Bias and an India based impact consultant. He is a keen watcher of changing national and international scenarios. He works as President Advisory Services of Consulting Company BARSYL. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
South China Morning Post
07-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
What South Korea's new president means for its US, China ties
Six months ago, South Korea teetered on the brink of authoritarian regression. But on Tuesday, its citizens elected Lee Jae-myung – a symbol of resilience and reform – as their new president, in a vote seen as a rebuke of his predecessor's failed martial law decree that plunged the nation into a political crisis. The liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate secured a decisive victory over conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party (PPP), capturing 49.42 per cent of the vote to Kim's 41.15 per cent in Tuesday's snap election. The vote – triggered by the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk-yeol – left no room for a transition period. Lee was sworn in immediately, ushering in a new chapter in South Korean politics. With nearly 17.3 million votes, Lee achieved the largest vote count for a presidential candidate in the country's electoral history on a voter turnout of 79.4 per cent – the highest in nearly three decades. For many, the election served as a referendum on the PPP, the former party of Yoon, whose unconstitutional martial law bid late last year stunned the nation. 'I will do my utmost to overcome the aftermath of the rebellion and ensure that never again will arms entrusted by the people be turned against them,' South Korea's new president declared to a crowd gathered near the National Assembly in the early hours of Wednesday morning. President Lee Jae-myung and his wife Kim Hye-kyung leave after his inauguration at the National Assembly in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
South China Morning Post
07-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
What South Korea's new president means for its US, China ties
Six months ago, South Korea teetered on the brink of authoritarian regression. But on Tuesday, its citizens elected Lee Jae-myung – a symbol of resilience and reform – as their new president, in a vote seen as a rebuke of his predecessor's failed martial law decree that plunged the nation into a political crisis. The liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate secured a decisive victory over conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party (PPP), capturing 49.42 per cent of the vote to Kim's 41.15 per cent in Tuesday's snap election. The vote – triggered by the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk-yeol – left no room for a transition period. Lee was sworn in immediately, ushering in a new chapter in South Korean politics. With nearly 17.3 million votes, Lee achieved the largest vote count for a presidential candidate in the country's electoral history on a voter turnout of 79.4 per cent – the highest in nearly three decades. For many, the election served as a referendum on the PPP, the former party of Yoon, whose unconstitutional martial law bid late last year stunned the nation. 'I will do my utmost to overcome the aftermath of the rebellion and ensure that never again will arms entrusted by the people be turned against them,' South Korea's new president declared to a crowd gathered near the National Assembly in the early hours of Wednesday morning. President Lee Jae-myung and his wife Kim Hye-kyung leave after his inauguration at the National Assembly in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Memri
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Memri
S. Korea's Crucial June 3 Election: Could The U.S. Lose South Korea To Communist China?
On June 3, 2025, South Korea heads to the polls for the snap presidential elections, triggered by the impeachment of pro-U.S. conservative president Yoon Suk-yeol, who pursued economic decoupling from China.[1] (Source: X) David Eunkoo Kim To FOX News: This Election Is Widely Seen As A Pivotal Moment For South Korea On June 1, 2025, David Eunkoo Kim, founder and representative of Truth Forum, a conservative youth organization founded at Seoul National University, gave an interview to FOX news about the crucial upcoming elections in South Korea. David Eunkoo Kim, who works with MEMRI (See MEMRI Daily Brief No. 772, South Korea's Democrats, Crisis, And What The U.S. Must Know, by David Eunkoo Kim, May 16, 2025) said to FOX news: "This election is widely seen as a pivotal moment for South Korea because the stakes – both domestically and geopolitically – are extraordinarily high."[2] Then, commenting about Lee Jae-myung, current Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate at the June 3 presidential elections, David Eunkoo Kim added: "Throughout his political career, [Lee] has consistently aligned himself with both pro-North Korean and pro-Chinese agendas. He has been implicated in sending funds to North Korea in violation of U.N. sanctions, and his deference to China has been nothing short of submissive." David Eunkoo Kim, founder and president of the Truth Forum (See MEMRI Daily Brief No. 772, South Korea's Democrats, Crisis, And What The U.S. Must Know, by David Eunkoo Kim, May 16, 2025) David Eunkoo Kim In The New York Sun: "The Leftist DPK Presidential Candidate Lee Jae-Myung Actively Advocates For Improving Relations With China" In a recent article to the New York Sun, David Eunkoo Kim stressed: "The leftist DPK presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung actively advocates for improving relations with China and criticized the 'inequality' of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, making him a prominent pro-China politician. Lee advocates for 'autonomous and balanced diplomacy centered on national interests.' He even mentioned that, if elected, he would cancel the THAAD (American anti-ballistic missile defense system) deployment and take wartime operational control of South Korean forces. Lee embraces a dangerous revisionist interpretation of Korean history – one that casts doubt on the very legitimacy of the Republic itself, absolves the violent legacy of communism, and promotes anti-American resentment."[3] David Eunkoo Kim then added: "The DPK's embrace of revisionist history has translated into real-world deference to authoritarian regimes, most notably China."
Asia Times
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Asia Times
Letter from Seoul: This isn't just another election
Sometimes when momentous things happen in a country, most people don't notice. That's normal. People focus on their lives – jobs, family, finances, and the like. I've been in Seoul, South Korea, for about a week, having been asked to come and see what's going on with the upcoming presidential election. You wouldn't know that an election that might determine South Korea's future is underway. The election was called three months ago after conservative president Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment. He'd declared martial law out of frustration over the leftist-dominated National Assembly using its immense power to make governing impossible. Yoon called it a 'legislative dictatorship.' So now it's a race between Lee Jae-myung from the leftist Democratic Party of Korea (DP) and Kim Moon-soo – of the generally conservative People Power Party (PPP). The DPK contains some hard-core radicals who want to align with the People's Republic of China and North Korea and even end the US-ROK alliance. Lee himself has called the US forces 'occupiers' – and is charged with involvement in sending $8 million to North Korea when he was governor of Gyeonggi Province. One of his lieutenants has already been convicted. Kim – a former labor activist is pro-US alliance. And he has no illusions about or love for South Korean leftists – having once been one of them – or the Chinese communists and North Korea. But there is another conservative candidate running. Lee Jun-seok of the small New Reform Party will siphon off votes from Kim. Polls, not always reliable, put the DPK in the lead. We will know soon enough. Two days of early voting are finished and election day is June 3d. A Kim victory would be better for the US-ROK alliance, although the DP-dominated National Assembly would still make life miserable for a conservative president. If Lee Jae-myung prevails, things could be very different. The leftists will have nearly every lever of power in South Korea. They just need the presidency. They already have the National Assembly (189 seats of 300), much of the judiciary and the police, the media, academia, labor unions and the all-powerful National Election Commission (NEC). Big business has been under attack, and even the ROK military has been put on notice. South Korean leftists have long wanted total and permanent control. But it started in earnest around 2017 when leftist, Moon Jae-in was elected president following the controversial removal of conservative president Park Chung-hee If Lee wins, he won't sever the US alliance or nestle up to the PRC and North Korea right away. US officialdom will tell itself the leftists are pragmatists and won't end the good thing they have with the United States. But bit by bit the US-ROK relationship will grow colder. Seoul's relationships with Beijing and Pyongyang will warm up. Ties with Japan – improved under President Yoon – will enter the walk-in freezer. The National Assembly and the leftist president will do whatever they want – and nobody can stop them. South Korea will effectively be a one-party state. Future elections won't matter. The National Election Commission will see to that. It has been stonewalling widespread and detailed citizen-produced evidence of electoral irregularities starting with the 2020 National Assembly election – which gave the DP a solid majority for the first time. Similar evidence was produced after the 2022 presidential election and the 2024 National Assembly election. Mention election integrit, however, and South Koreans can find the police at their doorstep and charges leveled. Being ridiculed as a conspiracy theorist is a given. But consider the fact that the NEC declared its system was unhackable – when citizens demanded transparency. Yet in 2023 the North Korean Lazarus Group repeatedly hacked the NEC network. Public outcry allowed the National Intelligence Service (not yet entirely under leftist domination) to run penetration tests. NIS ran wild and reported how the electoral system can be electronically manipulated. I came to Korea in 2020 to investigate allegations of rigging at the request of concerned citizens. I expected to find nothing much. In short order, it was obvious there were problems. Nothing has changed. It's still a system ripe for and apparently rife with manipulation. And authorities will not examine the evidence. Some South Koreans are trying to ensure honest elections. But they are beleaguered. They would sorely appreciate a kind word from President Trump. But the Trump administration stands by mute, with eyes primly averted. It declares the relationship 'rock solid' and 'forged in blood? And 'who are we to meddle in another country's politics?' But rather than electoral interference it would be providing oxygen to people who want to be free and are under pressure. There's nothing wrong with speaking up for consensual government, and civil liberties – and for your friends. And it puts the bad guys on notice. If they think America doesn't care or won't do anything at all they'll smother the opposition. Recall support for dissidents in Russia and Poland and elsewhere in the Cold War? It mattered. The US stayed quiet when Hugo Chavez came along in Venezuela in the early 1990's. The honest people just wanted something suggesting USA gave two hoots. They got nothing. And Venezuela is now in the China / Cuba camp. At least one big problem still remains for the leftists who see their goal in sight. That is the fact that most South Koreans don't want to be like China or North Korea – and support for the US alliance is strong, even among more than a few Democratic Party voters. And Koreans can be mercurial. They may not quietly go along with what South Korea's hard-core radicals have in mind. So this isn't just another election. If Washington hasn't paid proper attention to South Korea yet, it will have no choice but to do so before long.
