Liberal politician Lee Jae-Man became the new president of South Korea following the results of the previous day’s elections.
Lee won a convincing victory over conservative Kim Moon-soo with 49.42 per cent against 41.15 per cent.
His term began immediately after the vote count was confirmed on 4 June.
Upon taking office, Lee said his government would deal with North Korean nuclear threats and potential military aggression with a “strong deterrence” based on the South Korean-US military alliance. At the same time, he said he would “open a channel of communication with North Korea and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula through negotiation and co-operation”.
South Korea’s election comes after months of political turmoil and a power vacuum caused by former leader Yun Seok-yol’s failed attempt to impose martial law.
Yoon Seok-yol went on trial on 14 April for imposing martial law. He is accused of attempted sedition. He denies it.
Earlier, Yoon was formally removed from office after lawmakers impeached him for his Dec. 3 attempt to “undermine civilian rule by sending armed soldiers into parliament.”
On 1 May, South Korea’s acting president, South Korean Prime Minister Han Dok-soo, announced his resignation.