Liberal politician Moon Jae-in has decisively won South Korea’s presidential election in a victory that ends nearly a decade of conservative rule and may bring a more conciliatory approach toward North Korea.
Key points:
- Mr Moon was the favourite to win the presidency
- He appealed to voters who want the country to stand up to its allies, neighbours
- He says South Korea should learn to say ‘no to America’
Mr Moon’s victory will end months of political turmoil that led to parliament’s impeachment of conservative former president Park Geun-hye over an extensive corruption scandal.
Official results showed Mr Moon, 64, winning a decisive victory with the highest turnout in 20 years despite drizzly weather in South Korea.
Media player: “Space” to play, “M” to mute, “left” and “right” to seek.
Video: South Korea exit polls suggest landslide win for Moon Jae-in (The World)
Mr Moon won 41.1 per cent of the votes compared with 24 per cent for conservative candidate Hong Joon-pyo and 21.4 per cent for centrist candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, according to the National Election Commission.
Climbing a temporary stage set up in the main square in downtown Seoul, Mr Moon in a midnight victory speech vowed to usher in a new era for the country.
“I will make a just, united country,” he said.
“I will be a president who also serves all the people who did not support me.”
Mr Moon will take the oath of office as president on Wednesday and is expected to announce major cabinet and presidential staff appointments to swiftly end the power vacuum left by the March ouster of his predecessor.
The White House congratulated Mr Moon on the win, with a statement from press secretary Sean Spicer noting South Korea’s “peaceful, democratic transition of power”.
Mr Spicer said US President Donald Trump’s administration looks forward to working with Mr Moon “to continue to strengthen the alliance” between the two countries.
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