Overview
- Exit polls project Lee Jae-myung securing about 50% of votes, with runner-up Kim Moon-soo at roughly 40% and Lee Jun-seok at 7.7%.
- The election was held after former President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached over his declaration of martial law.
- The National Election Commission started tallying ballots immediately after polls closed at 8 p.m. local time, with official results due overnight.
- Voter turnout surged in traditionally progressive regions, driving overall participation to high levels.
- Lee inherits an economy weighed down by steep housing costs and must navigate shifting relations with China, Japan and the United States.