SEOUL, June 04 (AJP) - Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung addressed supporters in the early hours of Wednesday, Jun. 4, delivering what sounded like a de facto victory speech, even as final vote counts in South Korea’s 21st presidential election were still underway.
Speaking shortly after 1:15 a.m. in front of the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee acknowledged that he had not yet been officially confirmed as president-elect but said he felt a strong sense of responsibility as the projected winner.
Earlier in the evening, exit polls released by public broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS showed Lee with 51.7 percent of the vote, ahead of conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, who had 39.3 percent. As of late Tuesday night, Lee was maintaining a lead in the ongoing ballot count. Major broadcasters had declared him the "projected winner" based on the wide margin.
Lee used the speech to thank voters and outline the priorities of what would be his incoming administration: restoring democracy, reviving the economy, safeguarding public safety, building peace on the Korean Peninsula, and promoting social unity.
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Below is the full transcript of his speech:
“Fellow citizens of the Republic of Korea, I thank you with all my heart. Although I have not yet been officially confirmed, I am Lee Jae-myung, likely to become the 21st President of the Republic of Korea.
I will never forget the mission you have entrusted to me. I will fulfill it with precision and conviction.
Since the night of the December 3 insurrection, many of you endured hardship and stood firm. Through your vote today, you have proven that this country belongs to ordinary citizens and that all power exercised by the president comes from the people, not for personal gain, but for the betterment of this nation’s future. Thank you.
Your first mandate to me is to ensure we overcome the attempted coup and prevent any future abuse of arms entrusted by the people. I will restore democracy and build a republic in which citizens are respected, not divided by hate.
Your second mandate is to rebuild the economy and restore everyday life. If I am confirmed as president, I will begin work immediately to improve the hardships many of you endure, as swiftly and surely as possible.
Third, the Korean state must protect its people’s lives and safety. In recent years, the public has had to question whether the state even fulfills its basic responsibilities. Disasters have taken too many lives. I will build a country that takes this duty seriously.
Fourth, I will pursue a stable and peaceful Korean Peninsula. Strong national defense is essential, but true security means winning without fighting—and ideally, preventing the need for conflict altogether. Through dialogue, communication, and coexistence, I will reduce tensions and minimize Korea risk so people’s lives are not further burdened.
Finally, we are all fellow citizens in this shared community. I will not allow society to split into factions of hate—between men and women, regions, age groups, or workers and employers. We will not be perfect, but we can build a community where neighbors do not feel like enemies. Politics may divide, but the people need not. You are the owners of this country; politics serves you, not the other way around.
The president’s job is to unite the nation, not to rule over it, but to bring it together. Let us work together for a fairer, more just Korea. Whatever challenges lie ahead, I believe the great strength of our people will carry us through. Let us move forward with hope and confidence.
Though we may have disagreed during the campaign, those who did not support me are still citizens of the Republic of Korea. We wore different colors, but we are all part of one nation. Let us go forward together. Thank you.”
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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