South Korea’s Lee Jae-myung vows to strengthen ties with US after election win

Lee Jae-myung, South Korea’s president-elect, said he will work to reinforce relations with the United States after winning Sunday’s election. In his first remarks after the vote, he also pointed to the need to confront slowing economic growth and other domestic pressures.

The victory gives Lee a mandate to set the tone for Seoul’s foreign policy at a time of regional uncertainty and trade tensions. His pledge to stabilize the alliance with Washington signals continuity on security matters, even as his administration is expected to focus heavily on economic recovery.

Lee has made the economy a central theme of his campaign, reflecting public concern over jobs, prices, and household strain. The new government will now face the challenge of balancing external alliances with the need to ease pressure on South Korean families and businesses.

The election outcome marks the start of a new political chapter in Seoul, with attention now turning to how quickly Lee can translate campaign promises into policy.