After six months of political turmoil, many South Koreans breathed a sigh of relief as a new president was inaugurated this week, promising to unite a divided nation and strengthen a struggling economy.
However, for some, their hope was tinged with worry about the magnitude of challenges facing their new leader, even among those who voted for him.
Lee Jae-myung, the more progressive candidate, won a five-year term in the snap election to replace his long-standing rival, Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached and removed from office for declaring martial law in December, sparking a political crisis.
“It feels like we are finally taking back our country,” said Lee Hye-ye, a 34-year-old office worker in the beauty industry in Seoul. She expressed her confidence that if the new president was “strong enough to remove Yoon, he is strong enough to lead the nation back on track.”
Her main concern when voting was the growing division in the nation. Throughout his campaign, Mr. Lee emphasized the need to heal this divide. He continued to stress this in his speech on Wednesday, as supporters gathered outside the Parliament building, waving the South Korean flag and cheering. This was a stark contrast to six months ago, when protesters, led by Mr. Lee, gathered there to demand Mr. Yoon’s removal.
“It is time to build a bridge of coexistence, reconciliation, and solidarity,” Mr. Lee declared. “The future is calling us.”
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