SEOUL, March 10 — Opposition candidate Yoon Suk Yeol was elected South Korea’s next president on Thursday after an unbelievably close race that underlined deep divisions along regional, generational and gender lines and hands him a daunting task to narrow those chasms.
With 99.9 per cent of the vote counted, Yoon of the conservative People Power Party (PPP) had 48.56 per cent of the vote against Lee Jae Myung of the liberal Democratic Party (DP)’s 47.82 per cent. Yonhap news agency reported according to the National Election Commission.
The less than 1 percentage point gap makes this year’s election the closest-ever, Yonhap news agency reported according to the National Election Commission.
“We, the people of South Korea, are one. Regardless of region, camp or class, the people of the South Korea are equal people of this nation wherever they are, and must be treated fairly,” Yoon said in an address before party officials at the National Assembly.
“I will consider national unity as my top priority,” he said.
Yoon also described his election as a “victory of the great people.”
Ruling party candidate Lee conceded defeat and congratulated Yoon.
“I did my best but failed to live up to your expectations,” he said. “All responsibility lies with me. I extend my congratulations to candidate Yoon Suk Yeol.”
Yoon said that he learned during the campaign “what is required in order to become a national leader and how to listen to the voices of the people.”
He also thanked his competitors Lee and Sim Sang Jeung of the minor progressive Justice Party.
“Our competition is over for now,” he said. “We must work together to become one for the people and for South Korea.”
Yoon added that as soon as he takes office he will respect the spirit of the Constitution and the National Assembly while working together with the opposition party and serving the people.
Lee had initially led Yoon but the gap between them narrowed before Yoon overtook Lee at the point where 51 per cent of the vote was counted.
This year’s race was billed as an “unlikeable election” due to the public’s aversion to the candidates and their negative campaigning against each other.
Sources: BERNAMA
