RoK President-elect, Lee Jae Myung. (Photo: Jiji Press)

Speaking to supporters during a victory celebration Wednesday morning in Seoul, Lee pledged to fulfill the first task of ensuring national unity, which was entrusted to him by voters. He emphasized the need to overcome domestic divisions following the martial law incident at the end of 2024 and promised that such an event will never happen again.

Lee highlighted his priorities, including economic recovery and support for businesses and citizens as the RoK deals with economic challenges created by US tariff policies. The US is the RoK’s top trading partner. For inter-Korean relations, Lee said he will seek dialogue and communication between the two sides to find a way to coexist, cooperate, and find a path toward shared prosperity.

Lee's victory in the RoK’s presidential election on Tuesday, with 49% of the vote to 41% for his rival Kim Moon Soo of the conservative People Power Party (PPP), marks the end of nearly half a year of political instability, which began with a declaration of martial law last December and culminated in the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol in April on charges of rebellion.

On Wednesday morning, Lee was officially inaugurated as President, taking the oath of office before the National Assembly without the usual two-month transition period.