In what was the country’s most closely fought presidential election, Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative former top prosecutor, has been elected South Korea’s new president, defeating his chief liberal rival.
In an acceptance speech, Yoon said he would honour the constitution and the parliament and work with opposition parties when he takes office as the country’s next leader, calling the election result a “victory of the great people”.
While thanking and consoling Lee and other rivals, he said “Our competition is over for now”.
“We have to join hands and unite into one for the people and the country.”
It was also reported that at a separate ceremony with supporters, Yoon said he would put top priority on “national unity,” adding all people should be treated equally regardless of their regional, political and socioeconomic differences.
He continued that “I would pay attention to people’s livelihoods, provide warm welfare services to the needy, and make utmost efforts so that our country serves as a proud, responsible member of the international community and the free world”.
The President-elect, Yoon is to take office in May and serve a single five-year term as leader of the world’s 10th-largest economy.
While conceding defeat, a former governor of Gyeonggi province, glum Lee said “I did my best but wasn’t able to live up to expectations.”
“I congratulate candidate Yoon Suk Yeol. I sincerely ask the president-elect to overcome division and conflicts and open a new era of unity and harmony.”
It is important to note that South Korea’s Constitution limits a president to a single five-year term, so Lee’s party colleague, President Moon Jae-in, could not seek reelection. Moon came to power in 2017 after conservative President Park Geun-hye was impeached and removed from office over a huge corruption scandal.
It was stated that Yoon had been Moon’s prosecutor general but resigned and joined the opposition last year following infighting about probes of Moon’s allies.
