President Lee Jae-myung faces the challenge of uniting a deeply divided nation, addressing economic difficulties such as slowed growth and declining exports, and managing his own legal controversies as he begins his term.

CSIS

Lee is expected to prioritize the economy, aiming to tackle slowed growth forecasted at 0.8% in 2025, and to negotiate trade deals to alleviate tariffs that have hurt Korean exports, especially those imposed by the US during the Trump administration.

CSIS

Lee has reframed the U.S.-South Korea alliance as a strategic asset, advocating for economic and industrial cooperation while adopting a more assertive negotiation posture that emphasizes South Korea's sovereignty and economic interests.

Carnegie Endowment

Lee will need to address North Korea's nuclear threat and navigate the complexities of South Korea’s role amid heightened Sino-American tensions, balancing alliance management with sovereignty concerns.

Carnegie Endowment

The impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, who declared martial law, led to significant political upheaval and a turbulent environment in which Lee was elected, with a highly engaged electorate and a pressing need for political stability and democratic renewal.

Chosun