Lee Jae-myung, a liberal candidate and former child labourer turned human rights lawyer, has become South Korea's new president after defeating conservative rival Kim Moon-soo. He inherits a country deeply scarred by his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law attempt in December and faces challenges including income inequality, cost of living, and North Korea relations. Lee, 61, campaigned under tight security due to past threats and a knife attack, and begins his term facing ongoing legal cases.
Lee Jae-myung: from child labourer to leader of deeply scarred South Korea
South KoreaAsia PacificYoon Suk YeolWorld
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Lee Jae-myung, a liberal candidate and former child labourer turned human rights lawyer, has become South Korea's new president after defeating conservative rival Kim Moon-soo. He inherits a country deeply scarred by his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law attempt in December and faces challenges including income inequality, cost of living, and North Korea relations. Lee, 61, campaigned under tight security due to past threats and a knife attack, and begins his term facing ongoing legal cases.
Trending- 1 1986: Lee Jae-myung passes bar exam.
- 2 2006: Lee fails first attempt to be elected mayor of Seongnam.
- 3 2010: Lee elected mayor of Seongnam.
- 4 2017: Lee loses party's presidential nomination to Moon Jae-in.
- 5 2022: Lee defeated in presidential election by Yoon Suk Yeol.
- 6 January last year (2024): Lee sustains neck injuries in knife attack.
- 7 December (2024): Yoon Suk Yeol attempts to impose martial law.
- 8 Tuesday (June 3, 2025): Lee Jae-myung becomes South Korea's president.
- 9 Wednesday (June 4, 2025): Transfer of power to the presidential Blue House.
- New presidential leadership in South Korea
- Efforts to restore stability and address domestic issues (inequality, cost of living, North Korea relations)
- Ongoing legal challenges for the new president
- Potential debate over presidential immunity
What: Lee Jae-myung became the new president of South Korea.
When: Became president on Tuesday (June 3, 2025); transfer of power Wednesday; martial law attempt in December (2024); knife attack in January last year (2024); 2022 election.
Where: South Korea (Andong, North Gyeongsang province; Seongnam, near Seoul; Seoul).
Why: Won the presidential election, defeating Kim Moon-soo.
How: Through a democratic election process.