Lee Jae-myung Elected as 21st President... Power Changes Hands After Three Years

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, has been elected as the 21st president.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate who is expected to be elected as the 21st president, is greeting citizens at the national vote counting broadcast event held in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on June 4, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

As of 2:30 a.m. on June 4, with about 2.18 million votes remaining to be counted, Lee secured his victory with a vote share of 48.8% (approximately 16,012,300 votes). Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party candidate, finished second with a vote share of 42.1%.

At around 1:20 a.m., Lee delivered his acceptance speech, stating, "I will overcome the first mission you have entrusted to me, which is to overcome the national crisis." At around 1:30 a.m., Kim said, "I humbly accept the choice of the people," conceding the result.

In this election, calls for judgment against former President Yoon Suk-yeol were strong. In particular, the declaration of martial law on December 3 last yearbecame a decisive factor that led to the loss of support among centrist voters. The People Power Party tried to create divisions by focusing on Lee's so-called "judicial risk," but was unable to overcome the calls for judgment against the administration.

Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate who is expected to be elected as the 21st president, is greeting citizens at the national vote counting broadcast event held in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on June 4, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The political landscape has also changed. The ruling Democratic Party now holds a majority with 171 seats, creating a parliament dominated by the ruling party. It is the first time in 12 years that a president has started their term with the ruling party holding a majority in the National Assembly, since former President Park Geun-hye, whose Saenuri Party held 153 seats when she took office in February 2013.