South Korean Has A New President

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, a liberal leader of the opposition, defeated Kim Moon-soo, a conservative, handily.

The impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol for an unsuccessful effort to declare martial law in December set off the hasty election.

With more than 99% of the ballots counted, Lee received 49.3% of the vote, according to the National Election Commission, while Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party (PPP) received 41.3%.

Nearly 80% of the 44.39 million eligible voters cast ballots, the greatest participation in a presidential election since 1997.

The 61-year-old former human rights lawyer called Tuesday’s election “judgment day” against Yoon’s martial law and his People Power Party’s failure to stop the ill-fated move.

“The first mission is to decisively overcome insurrection and to ensure there will never be another military coup with guns and swords turned against the people,” Lee said in a victory speech outside parliament.

“We can overcome this temporary difficulty with the combined strength of our people, who have great capabilities,” he said.

Lee was officially confirmed as president by the National Election Commission on Wednesday and immediately assumed the powers of the presidency and commander in chief.

An abbreviated inauguration is planned at parliament at 11 a.m. (0200 GMT), an Interior Ministry official said.

A daunting slate of economic and social challenges await the new leader, including a society deeply scarred by divisions following the martial law attempt and an export-heavy economy reeling from unpredictable protectionist moves by the United States, a major trading partner and a security ally.

“President Lee will find himself with little to no time to spare before tackling the most important task of his early presidency: reaching a deal with Trump,” the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies said in an analysis.

The White House said the election of Lee was “free and fair” but the United States remained concerned and opposed to Chinese interference and influence in democracies around the world, according to a White House official.

The alliance between the U.S. and South Korea remains “ironclad,” the official said.

My warmest congratulations on your election victory.

Live with Purpose, Love with Passion. Remember to be happy

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‎Rose Ajieh