Korea’s Democratic Party Presidential candidate Li J-Mung wrote for a photo for a photo for a photo after getting a symbolic ticket for “Lee J-Youth Train” from legalist Jung Cuning-Tai during a campaign rally at Yongson Station Plaza on May 19, 2025, Yongson Station Plaza in Soul, South Korea.
Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty images
According to a joint exit pole by broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS, South Korean opposition party leader Lee J-Mung is expected to win the country’s SNAP presidential election.
exit poll Keep Lee’s share at 51.7%, with 39.3%stake of Conservative Kim Moon-Su.
An election victory for the Democratic Party candidate will establish him as the next leader of the country after excluding President Yun Suk Yeol, and determines the trajectory of South Korea business talks with the US and policies on China and North Korea.
Yun had impeached After his short -term declaration of martial law last December, and was Removed from office By the Constitutional Court of the country in April. This triggered the SNAP presidential election.
Lee, who lost to this by a razor-thunder margin 2022 presidential electionGot a major lead in voting before the election.
His eligibility for the presidency was doubtful after the allegation of violating election laws, but a final decision on the matter was Postponement until after the election By the High Court of South Korea.
The Consultancy Eurasia Group said that, while Lee had transferred its stance to a political center to attract independent and centralist votes to the political center, it is likely to carry forward the more left-length agenda in the office.
The firm said, “The major Watchpoints include a second supplementary budget size and Lee’s perspective for US tariff talks.”
Eurasia predicted that if Li was selected, it would struggle with dual challenges to revive South Korea’s economy and fulfill the “package” agreement with the US by July.
Eurasia said, “However, he has indicated a desire to move more gradually in a conversation with Washington and will possibly seek the Korea’s deal against the terms interacted by other countries including Japan before finalizing an agreement.”
Lee was near Allegedly said The deadline for tariff negotiations with the US should be extended on 25 May. Seoul and Washington had agreed to prepare a package of deals on tariffs by 8 July.
Separate, Goldman Sachs, in the 27th May note, also noted that both Kim of PPP and DP’s Li share similarities in their goals, including economic growth, improving stable financial markets and housing strength.
However, some major differences, Goldman reported, are in their economic policy platforms on how to promote development.
“Mr. Lee advocates fiscal support for strategic industries, while Mr. Kim has preferred to revive private entrepreneurship through deragulation and tax cuts. Mr. Lee’s aim is to increase equity markets through governance reforms, while Mr. Kim wants to do mainly through tax encouragement.”
Goldman evaluated that fiscal policy – using government spending to influence the economy – is likely to expand more under Kim under Kim under DP Kim, and the monetary policy by Bank of Korea will compensate for partially interval in the fiscal policy.
Bok was Re cuts in tea rates recently last weeko its lowest level since August 2022, saying that economic growth is expected to “fall significantly”.
Despite the election results, the South Korean won is likely to be appreciated against the US dollar “when a new government and the widespread USD weakness against the Asian currencies reduce the policy uncertainties,” Goldman said.
