Status: 09.03.2022 21:03
After a very close race, conservative opposition politician Yoon won the presidential election in South Korea. He is expected to take a more decisive stance towards North Korea. His term of office begins in May.
The South Koreans have elected conservative opposition politician Yoon Suk Yeol as their new president. Center-left ruling party candidate Lee Jae Myung has conceded defeat and congratulated Yoon on winning the presidential election, national Yonhap news agency reported. Lee called on Moon to overcome divisions in South Korean society.
Tight race for both candidates
The race was extremely close until the end. Yoon received 48.6 percent of the votes with a count of 98 percent. Lee of the Democratic Party got 47.8 percent.
With Yoon’s victory, there is now a change of power in South Korea. President Moon Jae In’s one-time five-year term ends in May.
Both candidates had set themselves the goal of a significant economic recovery from the consequences of the corona pandemic. Yoon is expected to take a tougher stance against Pyongyang. He accused the previous government of failing to deal with North Korea.
Around 44 million South Koreans aged 18 and over were eligible to vote. According to preliminary figures, turnout was 77.1 percent, the fifth-highest figure since direct presidential elections were reinstated in 1987.
The presidential election is of enormous importance for the fourth largest economy in Asia. In the country’s presidential system, almost all important decisions are made through the head of state.