Lee takes power after sweeping win

South's new leader pledges 'a new start'

- 

South Korea's centre-left Lee Jae-myung was declared president yesterday after winning a snap election, taking the helm of a nation deeply divided after his predecessor's disastrous attempt to declare martial law.

Mr Lee won a thumping victory over conservative Kim Moon-soo, of disgraced ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol's former party, with his term begining immediately after the National Election Commission certified the vote tally early yesterday.

In a regular presidential election, South Korea allows for a months-long transition period — but as Mr Lee's victory came in a snap election after Mr Yoon’s impeachment, his term began right away.

“The National Election Commission hereby declares Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party as the elected president,” National Election Commission chairperson Roh Tae-ak said early yesterday.

Mr Kim had conceded hours earlier, as final votes were still being counted. Official results showed he had no chance of winning.