By OKOSODO FAVOUR | JUNE 4, 2025
Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party has officially taken office as South Korea's new president after a decisive win in the June 3 snap election. His victory signals a major political shift following months of unrest and emergency rule.
With 99% of ballots counted, Lee secured over 49% of the vote, defeating conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, who garnered 41%. Voter turnout reached nearly 80% — the highest since 1997.
The election was held just six months after former President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, sparking national outrage and plunging South Korea into a political crisis.
Lee’s platform includes bold crypto policies: allowing the national pension fund to invest in Bitcoin, approving Bitcoin ETFs, and exploring a Korean won-backed stablecoin.
Beyond crypto, President Lee aims to tackle inflation, reform the judiciary, invest in AI and defence, and introduce a four-and-a-half-day work week. “The era of coups is over,” he declared in Seoul.