South Korea’s liberal party candidate, Lee Jae-myung, is expected to win the country’s snap presidential election, according to exit poll projections released by major broadcasters on Tuesday.
A combined exit poll from broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS showed Lee leading with 51.7% of the vote, while his conservative opponent Kim Moon-soo trailed at 39.3%. Historically, these exit polls have closely matched final results. Another poll by JTBC gave Lee 50.6% and Kim 39.4%, with Channel A offering similar margins favoring Lee.
Approximately 78% of the nation’s 44.39 million eligible voters participated in the election, held to select the leader of Asia’s fourth-largest economy after a period of political upheaval.
The election was called following the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol by the Constitutional Court on April 4, less than three years into his five-year term, amid controversy over a brief imposition of martial law six months earlier.
Lee framed the vote as a “judgment day” against Yoon’s administration and the conservative People Power Party, accusing them of failing to prevent the martial law attempt and attempting to preserve Yoon’s presidency.
The incoming president faces significant challenges, including healing a deeply divided society exacerbated by the recent crisis, and managing an export-dependent economy impacted by unpredictable protectionist policies from the United States, a key trade partner and security ally.
If the exit polls hold true, Lee will be officially confirmed as president when the National Election Commission announces the results on Wednesday, immediately assuming office and becoming commander-in-chief of South Korea’s military.
