Lee Jae-myung, South Korea’s newly elected president, enters office at a moment of profound national upheaval. A political survivor who has weathered bribery charges, an assassination attempt, and the extraordinary martial law declared by his ousted predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, Lee now inherits not just the presidency but a country anxious for stability. With his Democratic Party commanding a strong majority in the National Assembly, he becomes one of the most powerful South Korean leaders in decades. But that power comes with immense responsibility, the New York Times reported.
The country is deeply polarised in the aftermath of Yoon’s failed attempt to crush parliamentary dissent with military force, a move that backfired spectacularly and fuelled Lee’s rise. Tuesday’s election was less a conventional contest than a public reckoning, with voters rallying behind Lee to rebuke what many viewed as a betrayal of democratic norms.
A delicate balance abroad
Internationally, Lee must now navigate a foreign policy landscape defined by escalating tensions between the United States and China. Unlike Yoon, who tightly aligned with Washington and distanced Seoul from Beijing and Pyongyang, Lee has vowed to practice “pragmatic diplomacy centred on national interest.” He supports the US alliance but has also signalled that he will seek improved ties with China and North Korea.
His critics in Washington and Seoul’s conservative bloc have accused him of being too conciliatory toward Beijing, but Lee insists this is a false choice. “We don’t have to make enemies of other nations,” he said, defending his strategy to maintain the US military alliance while avoiding unnecessary confrontation with South Korea’s largest trading partner.
The Trump challenge
Lee also faces new strain from the Trump administration. President Trump’s aggressive tariff regime has hurt South Korea’s export economy, and his demands for greater cost-sharing for US troops stationed in the country have further complicated the alliance. Lee has acknowledged these difficulties but said he will negotiate hard. “I will crawl between his legs if necessary, if that’s what I have to do for my people,” he said, “but I am not a pushover, either.”
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth recently warned countries like South Korea against maintaining economic ties with China while relying on American defence guarantees, calling it a recipe for compromised sovereignty. That leaves Lee in the uncomfortable position of trying to chart an independent course without antagonising either superpower.
Haunted by the past, tested by the future
Despite his electoral victory, Lee remains under legal scrutiny. Multiple cases alleging bribery and election-law violations are still unresolved. His critics argue he has used the election to shield himself, while his supporters see the charges as politically motivated. Regardless, these issues will remain a backdrop to his presidency, fuelling further political division.
Lee has vowed to heal national wounds and avoid political revenge, but his commitment has already been questioned. He has pledged to punish those behind the martial law, which could be seen as necessary justice or the continuation of South Korea’s long tradition of prosecuting former leaders. Of the last nine presidents, six have faced impeachment or criminal charges. Lee must now decide whether to break that cycle—or continue it in the name of democracy.
Eyes on the economy
Ultimately, Lee’s presidency may hinge less on geopolitics or legal battles than on the domestic economy. With inflation, youth unemployment, and slowing growth weighing heavily, voters say their top priority is economic revival. While the election was a referendum on martial law, public patience may quickly wear thin if bread-and-butter issues remain unaddressed.
“He probably is taking office in a more difficult time than any other South Korean leader has faced in recent years,” said Ahn Byong-jin, a political scientist in Seoul.
For now, Lee enjoys a rare combination of political momentum and legislative control. What he does with it—whether to unite or divide, stabilise or provoke—will define South Korea’s path in a volatile region and an uncertain era.
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