South Korea's New President Lee Vows to Revive Democracy from 'Near Demise'

Jun 04, 2025 Komal Das

Lee Jae-myung takes office as South Korea’s new liberal president, vowing to rebuild the nation from the turmoil of a failed martial law attempt and revive its economy

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Lee won the snap election with 49.42% of the vote, defeating conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, in the highest voter turnout since 1997

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Lee aims to tackle urgent economic challenges, focusing on cost-of-living issues, middle and low-income families, and small businesses

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South Korean markets rallied post-election, with the KOSPI index rising over 2%. Renewable energy stocks surged as Lee pledged a greener energy mix

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Lee emphasized peaceful solutions to tensions with North Korea, reopening dialogue while maintaining a strong U.S. alliance

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The president faces immediate challenges, including negotiating tariffs with the U.S. under President Trump and addressing global protectionism

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Lee's diplomatic plans include stronger ties with China, continued engagement with Japan, and reinforcing South Korea’s global alliances for stability and growth

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