The South Koreans massively attended the voting sections to elect the new head of state after a failed attempt by former President Yoon Suk Yeol decree martial law
The center-left candidate Lee Jae Myung won, on Tuesday (3), presidential elections na South Koreamarked by a massive participation after six months of political chaos resulting from the ephemeral proclamation of martial law. Following the investigation of more than 98% of the ballot boxes, Lee won with 49.2% of the votes against 41.5% of the rival, conservative Kim Moon Soo, according to figures published by the Electoral Commission.
“I humbly accept the choice of the people. Congratulations to the elected candidate, Lee Jae Myung,” Kim told the press in Seoul. The new president of South Korea, who will assume his duties on Wednesday, promised “not to frustrate the expectations of the people.” “We may have different points of view, different positions and use different colors for a while. But today we are the same proud people of this great nation. Let us walk together,” the 61 -year -old politician told his supporters.
Just as he did throughout his campaign, Lee, who was on the brink of death last year after being stabbed on the street by one of his detractors, spoke protected by armored glass and a strong police contingent.
Massive participation
The South Koreans massively attended the voting sections to elect the new head of state and end six months of political chaos, caused by the failed attempt by former President Yoon Suk Yeol to decree martial law. The participation rate was 79.4%, the highest in 28 years.
Lee Jae Myung, leader of the Democratic Party, was appointed as the favorite of this election, ahead of former minister Kim Moon Soo, 73, the Popular Power Party, the same as the challenged president Yoon. When the results of the research were announced, the Parliament Room occupied by the Democratic Party militants was taken by applause and celebrations for Lee Jae Myung.
The winner of the elections will take office almost immediately and will face several problems, including the crisis caused by US international trade tariffs, which have damaged South Korea’s exporting economy. He will also face one of the world’s lowest birth rates and the growing North Korea, with its constantly expanding military arsenal. But, according to analysts, voters hope in particular that the vote will become the page of Yoon’s failed martial law, which left South Korea without leadership during the early months of US President Donald Trump’s government.
The fourth largest Asian economy has crossed a period of political instability since early December, when conservative Yoon declared martial law for a few hours and sent the army to the opposition national assembly. “Never again weapons will be used […] To intimidate the people as part of a military coup, ”Lee said on Wednesday (Tuesday afternoon in Brasilia).
‘Referendum on the previous government’
Since the December episode, the country has had some internal presidents, Yoon has been removed from office, accused of insurrection, detained after weeks of resistance and finally dismissed by the Constitutional Court. The country of 52 million, which moved to a democratic regime in 1987, is the scenario of a polarization after the political crisis caused by martial law.
“Research indicates that the election is considered a referendum on the previous government,” Kang Joo Hyun, professor of political science at Sookmyung University, told AFP. On the night of the martial law, former lawyer Lee Jae Myung broadcast live his frantic race toward Parliament, which was surrounded by the army, where he managed to enter another 200 deputies to vote for a motion that frustrated Yoon’s initiative.
Last year, he was the target of an attempted murder that left him on the verge of death, which is why he campaigned wearing a bulletproof vest and spoke his speeches protected by armored glass. His rival, Kim Moon Soo, a former union leader who moved sides, refused to apologize on behalf of the party a day after the fiasco in Parliament.
*With information from AFP
Posted by Carolina Ferreira
