Just hours after winning South Korea’s presidency, Lee Jae-myung pledged to “unite the people” in his inauguration speech on Wednesday. Lee enters office during a time when the nation continues to experience deep divisions, which were further exacerbated after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s surprising declaration of martial law last December. In his address to the National Assembly, Lee stated, “I will begin by revitalizing the economy and healing the people. No matter who you supported in this election… I will be the president of all the people.” A candidate from the liberal Democratic Party, Lee secured nearly 50% of the vote.
He attributed the nation’s political turmoil to “political factions with no desire to work for the lives of the people.” To address this, Lee stated, “I will work to unite the people and strive to become a president who ends the politics of division.” However, Lee not only faces domestic challenges but also pressing foreign issues. These include navigating the US-Korea alliance under the new Trump administration, maintaining balanced relations with China, and addressing his closest neighbor, North Korea. In addition, Lee pledged to establish a “flexible, pragmatic government” and announced the immediate activation of an emergency economic task force.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq549p1yd2eo
