Amid significant political upheaval in South Korea, exit polls suggest that Lee Jae-myung, the candidate from the center-left Democratic Party, is set to secure a decisive victory in the presidential election, riding a wave of public anger against ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
**Exit Polls Indicate Lee Jae-myung Poised for South Korean Presidency Amid Political Turmoil**
**Exit Polls Indicate Lee Jae-myung Poised for South Korean Presidency Amid Political Turmoil**
Lee Jae-myung's campaign taps into prevailing discontent towards former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced backlash for controversial martial law actions.
June 3, 2025, 9:15 a.m. ETReporting from Seoul, Jin Yu Young and Choe Sang-Hun
In a political landscape fraught with discontent following months of turmoil, South Korea's election exit polls predict Lee Jae-myung as the likely winner of the presidency, boasting a substantial margin over his competitor, Kim Moon-soo. This forecast emerges after Mr. Yoon faced backlash for attempting to impose martial law last December, which culminated in his impeachment.
The exit poll conducted by leading television stations indicates that approximately 51.7% of 80,000 polled voters opted for Lee, compared to 39.3% for Kim Moon-soo of the right-wing People Power Party. Lee Jun-seok of a minor party received 7.7% of the votes. These results, typically reliable in determining South Korean election outcomes, were made public shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. local time.
Should he officially win, Mr. Lee is poised to be one of the most powerful presidents in the recent history of South Korea, establishing a government as the head of a party that already holds a National Assembly majority. Voter participation in the election exceeded 79%, marking the highest turnout since 1997 amidst challenges surrounding economic stagnation and rising international tensions.
Mr. Lee's agenda promises revitalization of the domestic economy and balanced diplomatic relations, intending to mend ties with China and North Korea while solidifying the alliance with the United States. Conversely, his opponent, Mr. Kim, signals a continuation of the aggressive foreign policies under Yoon, which have often marginalized both China and North Korea.
However, Mr. Lee's leadership is clouded by ongoing trials related to allegations he claims are politically motivated. Analysts suggest his presidency may be characterized by underlying uncertainties, pending the resolution of these legal challenges.
As analysts gauge voter views, there are stark divisions among the populace. While candidates called for unity, campaign tactics often played on fear and indignation. The once-chaotic scene of protests against Mr. Yoon outside the National Assembly has transformed into celebrations for Lee's supporters, who now hope for change in South Korea’s divisive political climate.
As the counting process continues, the formal declaration of the election outcome by the National Election Commission is slated for Wednesday morning, promising to further shake the political landscape of the nation.
In a political landscape fraught with discontent following months of turmoil, South Korea's election exit polls predict Lee Jae-myung as the likely winner of the presidency, boasting a substantial margin over his competitor, Kim Moon-soo. This forecast emerges after Mr. Yoon faced backlash for attempting to impose martial law last December, which culminated in his impeachment.
The exit poll conducted by leading television stations indicates that approximately 51.7% of 80,000 polled voters opted for Lee, compared to 39.3% for Kim Moon-soo of the right-wing People Power Party. Lee Jun-seok of a minor party received 7.7% of the votes. These results, typically reliable in determining South Korean election outcomes, were made public shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. local time.
Should he officially win, Mr. Lee is poised to be one of the most powerful presidents in the recent history of South Korea, establishing a government as the head of a party that already holds a National Assembly majority. Voter participation in the election exceeded 79%, marking the highest turnout since 1997 amidst challenges surrounding economic stagnation and rising international tensions.
Mr. Lee's agenda promises revitalization of the domestic economy and balanced diplomatic relations, intending to mend ties with China and North Korea while solidifying the alliance with the United States. Conversely, his opponent, Mr. Kim, signals a continuation of the aggressive foreign policies under Yoon, which have often marginalized both China and North Korea.
However, Mr. Lee's leadership is clouded by ongoing trials related to allegations he claims are politically motivated. Analysts suggest his presidency may be characterized by underlying uncertainties, pending the resolution of these legal challenges.
As analysts gauge voter views, there are stark divisions among the populace. While candidates called for unity, campaign tactics often played on fear and indignation. The once-chaotic scene of protests against Mr. Yoon outside the National Assembly has transformed into celebrations for Lee's supporters, who now hope for change in South Korea’s divisive political climate.
As the counting process continues, the formal declaration of the election outcome by the National Election Commission is slated for Wednesday morning, promising to further shake the political landscape of the nation.
