By Charles Pemu 
Lee Jae-myung officially assumed office as South Korea’s President on Wednesday, following a decisive victory in a snap election. The centre-left leader quickly signaled a new direction, pledging to “heal wounds” and seek dialogue with nuclear-armed North Korea, while also vowing to combat grave economic threats.
Lee secured a commanding 49.4 percent of the vote in the election, which was triggered by his predecessor’s controversial martial law declaration. His term began immediately upon certification of results.
In his first public remarks, President Lee emphasized his commitment to peace. “We will heal the wounds of division and war and establish a future of peace and prosperity,” he stated, adding that “peace is better than war.” He vowed to “deter North Korean nuclear and military provocations while opening communication channels and pursuing dialogue and cooperation.” This approach marks a significant departure from his more hawkish predecessor, signaling a readiness for unconditional talks, according to analysts.
Domestically, Lee warned that “rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring” pose an “existential threat” to South Korea’s export-dependent economy. His inauguration came amid global trade disruptions and the implementation of international tariffs affecting key South Korean exports.
On his first day, President Lee formally assumed operational control of the armed forces, urging vigilance against Pyongyang. He also made key appointments, including long-time adviser Kim Min-seok as Prime Minister and former unification minister Lee Jong-seok as intelligence chief.
Global leaders swiftly offered congratulations. US President Donald Trump’s administration affirmed the “ironclad” Washington-Seoul alliance. Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the “great importance” of bilateral ties, while Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed a desire to “energize cooperation.”
Markets responded positively to Lee’s election, with the benchmark KOSPI index and the South Korean won both rising. With his party holding a secure parliamentary majority, President Lee is well-positioned to advance his legislative agenda. Citizens on the streets of Seoul welcomed his conciliatory stance towards the North, expressing hopes for positive long-term developments.