Lee Jae-myung clinches presidency with record vote count

Graphic by Cho Sang-won

Newly elected President Lee Jae-myung fell short of an outright majority in Tuesday’s election, but set a new record in Korean presidential history by winning 17.29 million votes.

Lee secured key support in the Chungcheong region — often seen as the nation’s electoral bellwether — and outpaced People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo in vote share, with particularly strong backing from those in their 40s and 50s.

Graphic by Cho Sang-won

According to the National Election Commission Wednesday, Lee received 17.29 million votes, or 49.42 percent of the total, defeating Kim Moon-soo by approximately 2.89 million votes. This surpassed the previous record of 16.39 million votes set by former President Yoon Suk Yeol in the last presidential race.

Lee topped the polls in most regions across the country, including Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province in the greater capital area, as well as Gwangju, Daejeon, Sejong, Chungcheong and Jeolla provinces and Jeju Island.

Notably, in South Chungcheong Province — often viewed as a crucial swing region — Lee secured 47.7 percent of the vote, defeating Kim by more than four percentage points. The result marks a sharp turnaround from the previous presidential race, when Lee lost the province to then-PPP candidate Yoon Suk Yeol by roughly 90,000 votes.

Lee also flipped Seoul, a city he failed to win in the last presidential race three years ago.

With roots in Andong in North Gyeongsang Province, Lee focused considerable effort on winning over voters in the traditionally conservative Daegu and North Gyeongsang region. Despite his ties to the area, conservative support remained strong. He secured 23.22 percent of the vote in Daegu and 25.52 percent in North Gyeongsang, while Kim managed to achieve a majority in both areas.

In stark contrast, Lee dominated in the Jeolla provinces — a traditional liberal stronghold in the southwest — winning 85.87 percent in South Jeolla Province, 82.65 percent in North Jeolla Province and 84.77 percent in Gwangju, further cementing his political base.

Voter turnout in this year’s presidential election reached 79.4 percent, with 35.24 million of the 44.39 million eligible voters casting their ballots — the highest participation rate since the 1997 election, which saw a turnout of 80.7 percent.

Graphic by Cho Sang-won

Meanwhile, Lee won overwhelming support among voters in their 40s and 50s, according to exit polls conducted by major broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS on Tuesday.

More than 72 percent of men and women in their 40s backed him, while support among voters in their 50s stood at 71.5 percent for men and 68.1 percent for women.

Lee also held an edge among younger voters, winning 41.3 percent of those in their 20s and 47.6 percent in their 30s, compared to Kim’s 38.9 percent and 40.2 percent, respectively.

Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok stood out among younger voters. Although he secured only a single-digit share of the vote nationwide, he emerged as the top choice among men in their 20s, drawing 37.2 percent — outpacing both major candidates. He also garnered 25.8 percent support among men in their 30s.

The only age group where Kim clearly led was among voters aged 70 and older, with 64 percent backing the conservative candidate.

By gender, Lee led across the board, with 48.3 percent of male voters supporting him compared to 39.4 percent for Kim. The gap was even wider among women, with Lee receiving 55.1 percent to Kim’s 39.2 percent.