Lee Jae-myung, the candidate from the opposition Democratic Party, has won South Korea's presidential election. His main rival, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, has already conceded defeat and congratulated Lee Jae-myung on his victory, according to Euro News.

In his victory speech, Lee pledged to rebuild the nation, stating, “My government will work to revive the economy and establish lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

Meanwhile, in a statement, Kim said, “I respectfully accept the people's verdict. I extend my sincere congratulations to Lee Jae-myung on his victory.”

Throughout his campaign, Lee took a firm stance against military rule. According to many analysts, this election effectively served as a referendum on the attempted military coup by former President Yoon Suk-yeol six months ago. By rejecting Yoon’s party at the polls, the public has brought the opposition back to power, marking a major turning point in South Korean politics.

Lee Jae-myung's political career has been marked by controversy. He lost the election three years ago and currently faces several criminal charges. However, during this campaign, he managed to bridge ideological divides and unite people from various walks of life. Many believe that he is the leader capable of guiding Korea back on the right path during these challenging times.

As the new president, Lee faces significant international challenges. In particular, discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump are expected regarding trade tariffs and security issues. Despite the presence of U.S. troops in South Korea due to the North Korean nuclear threat, reports suggest Washington may be considering partial troop withdrawals.

Lee has previously expressed skepticism about the South Korea–U.S. alliance. While he took a more moderate stance during the campaign, he has shown a preference for strengthening ties with China — a position that could complicate relations with Washington.