Lee Jae-myung: South Korea Presidential Election Results
- South Korea's opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, is projected to win the presidential election, according to exit polls.
- This election, triggered by the impeachment and subsequent removal of president Yoon Suk Yeol, will determine the future of South Korea's economic policies and international relations.
- Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, maintained a led in opinion polls leading up to this election.
Get the latest on South Korea’s presidential election: Lee Jae-myung is projected to win, signaling a shift in the nation’s economic and trade policies. This snap election, following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, sets the stage for Lee to tackle critical issues like U.S. tariff negotiations and economic revitalization. The election outcome promises importent changes, especially when it comes to strategic industries and fiscal policy. While the impact will be felt by the South Korean economy, the Bank of Korea’s recent interest rate cuts will likely provide further impetus on both the primary_keyword economy itself along with the secondary_keyword financial markets. News Directory 3 provides vital updates on this rapidly evolving political landscape, offering crucial insights into how the newly elected leader intends to shape South Korea’s future. Discover what’s next for the country.
Lee Jae-myung Projected to Win South Korea Presidential Election
Updated June 3, 2025
South Korea’s opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, is projected to win the presidential election, according to exit polls. Broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS jointly reported that Lee secured 51.7% of the vote, while conservative candidate Kim moon-soo garnered 39.3%.
This election, triggered by the impeachment and subsequent removal of president Yoon Suk Yeol, will determine the future of South Korea’s economic policies and international relations. Yoon’s impeachment stemmed from his declaration of martial law last December, with the Constitutional Court upholding his removal in April.
Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, maintained a led in opinion polls leading up to this election. Despite facing charges of breaching election laws, a final ruling was postponed by the High Court until after the election.
The election of Lee Jae-myung as president could considerably impact South Korea’s trade negotiations and economic policies.Eurasia Group noted that Lee, while shifting towards the center, is expected to pursue a left-leaning agenda.Key areas to watch include the size of a second supplementary budget and his approach to U.S. tariff negotiations.
Eurasia group anticipates that Lee will face the challenge of reviving South Korea’s economy and finalizing a trade agreement with the U.S. by July.Lee has expressed a desire for a more intentional approach to these talks, seeking to align South Korea’s deal with terms negotiated by other countries.
goldman Sachs highlighted that both Lee and Kim share common goals, including economic growth and stable financial markets. However,they diverge on strategies. Lee favors fiscal support for strategic industries, while Kim advocates for deregulation and tax cuts to revitalize private entrepreneurship. Lee aims to enhance equity markets through governance reforms, while Kim prefers tax incentives.
Goldman Sachs also suggested that under Lee, fiscal policy is likely to be more expansionary compared to Kim. The Bank of korea (BOK) recently cut interest rates to their lowest level since August 2022, citing expectations of a considerable decline in economic growth.
Regardless of the election’s outcome, Goldman Sachs anticipates that the south Korean won will appreciate against the U.S.dollar due to reduced policy uncertainties and broad USD weakness against Asian currencies.
What’s next
The focus now shifts to how President-elect Lee Jae-myung will navigate the complex challenges of economic revival and international trade negotiations,particularly with the United States. His approach to fiscal policy and strategic industry support will be closely watched.