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South Korea Election: In the special presidential election held in South Korea on June 3, 2025, Liberal Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung won by defeating Conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo by a huge margin. So far, more than 85% of the vote counting has been completed and Kim Moon-soo has accepted his defeat. This victory has become a symbol of not just a political change but a democratic renaissance.
The need for a special election in South Korea arose when former President Yoon Suk Yol imposed martial law on December 3, 2024, which shook the foundations of democracy across the country. This was the first time since the restoration of democracy in South Korea in 1987 that a president tried to rule with the help of the army.
What happened before the election?
The opposition Democratic Party in South Korea was led by Lee Jae-myung, who passed an impeachment motion against Yoon in Parliament. In April 2025, the Constitutional Court removed Yoon from office. Criminal cases of treason and abuse of power were initiated against him. This political upheaval made it necessary to hold special elections in June 2025.
Lee Jae-myung’s election message
Lee Jae-myung called his election campaign “People’s Justice Day” and presented Yoon’s government as having an undemocratic mindset, disregard for judicial institutions and suppression of people’s rights. He said that this election is not just a change of power, but a return of people’s self-respect.
People’s decisive mandate in favor of democracy
More than 80% voting took place in this special election, which is the highest since 1997. This shows that the public was tired of political instability. They came to the polling stations to protect democracy and were united to elect Lee Jae-myung as the new leader. This was not just voting but a mass rebellion and democratic movement.
Priorities of Lee Jae-myung in South Korea
Before the election victory in South Korea, Lee Jae-myung had said that he wanted to end political polarization in the country. He will pay special attention to economic revival. Working especially for the youth and the middle class will be the first priority. Ways of peace and cooperation will be explored with North Korea. However, it will be interesting to see whether his policies can take South Korea in a new direction of stability, security and prosperity.
Kim Moon-soo congratulated, accepted defeat
Yun Suk Yol’s close friend and former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo accepted his defeat and congratulated Lee on the victory. Kim Moon-soo was the candidate of the Conservative People Power Party.
Attempt to save democracy by jumping over the wall
In December 2024, when the then President Yoon Suk Yol announced the imposition of martial law in South Korea, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung chose the bold path of resistance. When the army banned his entry into the National Assembly, Lee tried to enter the Parliament by jumping over the wall. He live streamed the entire incident on YouTube, which went viral within hours. On the same day, voting was held in Parliament to repeal martial law.
Leader made of struggles
61-year-old Lee Jae-myung’s life began with struggles and grew with principles. Childhood in poverty, worked as a child laborer. Studied himself and got a degree in law. Started as a human rights lawyer. After this, he became the mayor of Seongnam and then the governor of Gyeonggi province.
Defeat in 2022
Lee Jae-myung lost the 2022 presidential election, but did not withdraw from politics. He continued to raise public issues in Parliament and on the streets while leading the opposition. Meanwhile, his popularity continued to grow, especially among the youth and the lower-middle class.
Deadly attack did not dampen his courage
During his visit to Busan in January 2024, a man attacked him with a 7-inch long knife on his neck on the pretext of asking for an autograph. He was airlifted and admitted to Seoul National University Hospital. Both his supporters and critics condemned the attack. This attack did not scare him, but strengthened his image further.
