South Korea’s newly elected President Lee Jae-myung pledged on Wednesday to “heal wounds” between the North and South and pursue dialogue, as he formally assumed office following his decisive victory in a snap election.
Lee, the centre-left candidate, secured 49.4 percent of the vote against conservative Kim Moon-soo’s 41.2 percent an outcome widely attributed to Kim’s party infighting and a split in the right-wing vote. Kim conceded defeat early Wednesday, and Lee’s term began immediately after the election results were certified.
In his first official acts, Lee spoke with the Joint Chiefs of Staff before taking operational control of South Korea’s armed forces. He emphasised the importance of military readiness in the event of provocations from Pyongyang, while underscoring his administration’s willingness to engage the North in “communication, dialogue, and cooperation to build peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
“We will heal the wounds of division and war and establish a future of peace and prosperity,” Lee declared.
“No matter how costly, peace is better than war.”
Lee’s commitment to opening channels with North Korea marks a notable shift from his predecessor’s more hawkish stance. Hong Min, senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, described the new president’s approach as a “significant departure,” noting that Lee did not attach immediate preconditions to talks.
Alongside calls for reconciliation, Lee warned of growing external economic threats. He cautioned that “rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring pose a threat to our very survival,” referring to trade disruptions triggered by U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump. Indeed, Lee took office mere hours before Washington imposed 50 percent duties on South Korea’s steel and aluminium exports.
International reaction was swift. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Lee and reaffirmed the “ironclad” U.S.-Seoul alliance grounded in “shared values and deep economic ties.” The White House described the election as “free and fair” and expressed concern over alleged Chinese interference in South Korean politics. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba voiced his intention to “energise cooperation” between Tokyo and Seoul, while India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi signalled a desire to “strengthen ties” with the new administration.
Lee’s inauguration, held at the National Assembly building, was notably low-key. During the ceremony, he announced several key appointments, including veteran aide Kim Min-seok as prime minister and former Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok as spy chief. Security was tight, a reminder of the turmoil that erupted when outgoing President Yoon Suk Yeol deployed armed troops on the eve of his attempt to impose martial law.
Domestically, South Koreans welcomed Lee’s conciliatory tone toward the North. “Our economy and many aspects of society are closely linked to inter-Korean relations,” said Choi Ki-ho, 55, a Seoul resident. “I hope we can move in a more positive direction.” Another citizen, Lee Ju-yeon, 42, expressed hope that Lee would work to “unite our divided nation.”
With Lee’s Democratic Party holding a parliamentary majority secured until 2028, the new president is well positioned to advance his legislative agenda. However, balancing outreach to the North with the need to safeguard national security—especially amid escalating U.S. trade tensions—will be among his administration’s most pressing challenges.