South Korea opposition Lee Jae-myung wins election following months of martial law chaos

3 June 2025, 19:48

Opposition's Lee Jae-myung wins election after months of martial law chaos in South Korea's government.

Lee Jae-myung, the centrist candidate from the Democratic Party, has won the country's first election since the impeachment chaos.

Just after midnight local time, Kim Moon-so of the People Power Party conceded defeat and offered his congratulations to opponent Lee in a short speech.

Millions voted on Tuesday in a snap election triggered by former president Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment in connection to his failed martial law bid.

In Lee's election victory speech, he pledged to reboot South Korea's economy and make peace within the North.

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The election has been shaped by Yoon's disastrous actions in December - which started protests and months political chaos.

It comes after South Korea's Constitutional Court removed impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol from office.

Yoon threw South Korean politics into turmoil by declaring martial law and sending troops to parliament in an ill-fated effort to break through legislative gridlock.

In a nationally televised verdict, the court's acting chief Moon Hyung-bae said the eight-member bench upheld Yoon's impeachment because his martial law decree seriously violated the constitution and other laws.

"The defendant not only declared martial law, but also violated the constitution and laws by mobilising military and police forces to obstruct the exercise of legislative authority," Mr Moon said.

"Ultimately, the declaration of martial law in this case violated the substantive requirements for emergency martial law.

"Given the grave negative impact on constitutional order and the significant ripple effects of the defendant's violations, we find that the benefits of upholding the constitution by removing the defendant from office far outweigh the national losses from the removal of a president."

Prime minister Han Duck-soo, the country's acting leader, in a televised speech vowed to ensure "there are no gaps in national security and diplomacy" and maintain public safety and order".

"Respecting the will of our sovereign people, I will do my utmost to manage the next presidential election in accordance with the constitution and the law, ensuring a smooth transition to the next administration," Mr Han said.

At an anti-Yoon rally, near the old royal palace that dominates downtown Seoul, people erupted into jubilant tears and dancing when the verdict was announced.

Two women wept as they hugged, and an old man near them leapt to his feet and screamed with joy.

Yoon's declaration of martial law and subsequent impeachment plunged the country into political turmoil, with millions taking to the streets to denounce or support him.

After abruptly declaring martial law on December 3, Yoon sent hundreds of soldiers and police officers to the National Assembly.

He has argued that he sought to maintain order, but some senior military and police officers sent there have told hearings and investigators that Yoon ordered them to drag out lawmakers to prevent an assembly vote on his decree.

Enough lawmakers eventually managed to get in and voted to strike down Yoon's decree unanimously.

The National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon on December 14, accusing him of violating the constitution and other laws by suppressing assembly activities, attempting to detain politicians, and undermining peace across the country.

Without presidential immunity, Yoon could face other criminal charges, such as abuse of power.

He is the first South Korean president to be arrested or indicted while in office.

Yoon served as prosecutor-general under his predecessor, liberal president Moon Jae-in, before joining the now-ruling party in 2021 following disputes with Mr Moon's allies.

A public image as strong-minded and uncompromising helped him defeat Mr Lee in the close-fought 2022 presidential election.

But after becoming president, Yoon has faced criticism that he refused to replace officials implicated in scandals and vetoed many bills passed by the assembly.