South Korea: center-left candidate Lee Jae-myung wins presidential election, according to exit polls

Sylvie Claire / June 8, 2025

Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung (center-left) is widely tipped to win South Korea's presidential election on Tuesday, according to an exit poll at the close of the single-round vote.

Mr. Lee is credited with 51.7% of the vote, against 39.3% for his main opponent, the conservative Kim Moon-soo (PPP, right), according to figures from the three largest national television channels.

This vote, the result of which has yet to be confirmed by the National Election Commission, should enable South Korea to regain a captain and stability, after six months of a crisis triggered by the previous head of state, Yoon Suk Yeol.

In early December, Mr. Yoon unexpectedly declared martial law and sent the army to take control of the largely opposition-dominated parliament in order to silence it. However, a sufficient number of MPs managed to get together to vote on a motion and quickly scupper the coup.

Six months of political chaos followed, with massive demonstrations, the arrest and subsequent dismissal of Yoon Suk Yeol, an unprecedented succession of interim presidents and other twists and turns, notably in the courts.

The winner will take office as soon as the results are validated, expected on Wednesday morning.

If his victory is confirmed, Lee Jae-myung, a 61-year-old former factory worker, will have the onerous task of dealing with the threat posed by unpredictable neighbor North Korea, while positioning himself between China, South Korea's main trading partner, and the United States, its historic ally and protector. In addition to domestic challenges, between one of the lowest birth rates in the world and the rising cost of living.