Liberal Candidate Wins Presidency With Vow To 'Save South Korea'

The liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung yesterday won the vote to become South Korea's new president after a snap election triggered by a brief period of martial law imposed by the now-impeached former leader Yoon Suk Yeol.

- Justin McCurry

His closest rival, the conservative Kim Moon-soo, conceded as Lee, of the Democratic party, was comfortably ahead on 48.523% with 70% of the vote counted in the race to lead Asia's fourth-biggest economy.

Speaking outside his home, Lee thanked voters, saying: "I will do my utmost to fulfil the great responsibility and mission entrusted to me, so as not to disappoint the expectations of our people."

Lee, a 61-year-old former human rights lawyer who had made two failed attempts to reach the presidential Blue House, rode a wave of public anger that followed Yoon's declaration of martial law in early December.

That order, which was overturned in a matter of hours, sparked South Korea's biggest political crisis in decades. The country is also battling an economic downturn, income inequality and doubts over the US's commitment to its security under Donald Trump.