After the state crisis: five points that you should know about South Korea’s election winner

In the end, the left -wing opposition leader Lee Jae Myung got the expected landslide victory. After counting almost all votes, Lee lies with 49.4 percent clearly ahead of the second -placed Kim Moon Soo, who comes to 41.2 percent. Observers mentioned the election beforehand for the country. And with Lee Jae Myung, the South Korea course will change significantly – economically, externally and inwards.

That is why the choice is of historical importance:

Exactly half a year ago, the young democracy of South Korea was existentially threatened. Ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol surprisingly excluded war law and sent special units of the army to parliament. The Yoon, which has since been released by the office, justified its measure with the protection of the free order of the country, which is allegedly endangered by a communist -infiltrated opposition. However, most South Koreans were of the opinion that South Korea threatened to fall back into its authoritarian past. In this respect, the new elections were primarily about sealing the multi -month state crisis.

This is South Korea’s new President Lee Jae Myung:

Lee’s promoted biography impressively reflects South Korea’s rise. He grew up in such poor circumstances that his exact date of birth is still unknown – his father had only significantly noticed the little Lee with the authorities. According to official information, Lee Jae Myung is therefore 60 years old, but most media assume 61 years.

In his youth, the South Korean worked in factories under exploitial conditions. During that time he suffered several serious work injuries that Lee still affects health. But with his pronounced thirst for knowledge, the teenager made the jump to the university, after graduation he made a name for himself as a human rights lawyer.

In the political company, Lee was primarily considered a left -wing outsider with partly radical ideas. He was the first known politician to demand an unconditional basic income – an idea that caused a sensation in South Korea. In the current election campaign, Lee clearly moderated his positions in order to also address the voters of the political center.

These challenges are now waiting for President Lee:

South Korea’s population is currently more polarized than ever. The social divisions run between the political camps as well as genders and generations.

At the same time, the country faces economically major problems. In the last quarter, the country’s gross domestic product has even shrunk surprisingly. In addition, there are the tariffs announced by Donald Trump, which would particularly hit the export nation. The East Asian tiger state also has to struggle with a rapid demographic change: in no other state in the world, the birth rate is so low.

That means LEES election victory for South Korea’s relationships with abroad:

Compared to the conservative predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, who was running a hard course opposite North Korea, Lee Jae Myung is looking for a diplomatic approach. He also wants to improve bilateral relationships compared to China, but without endangering the security alliance with the United States, which is important for South Korea.

From a European perspective, it becomes particularly important how Lee positions itself in Russia. In the past, among other things, he had spoken in favor of not “antagonizing” Moscow. It will be shown whether this means that South Korea travels its political support towards Ukraine.

This is how South Korea now continues:

Lee Jae Myung is already being praised on Wednesday (local time). As a South Korean president, he is equipped with an impressive wealth of power: he not only leads the government, but is also commander -in -chief of the armed forces. He should not be re -elected – his term of office is limited to a five -year legislative period.