Yoon Suk-yeol Sworn In As South Korea's New President

MAY 10 2022·Updated JAN 2 2023

Story

Image credit: Associated Press [via South China Morning Post]

The Facts

Yoon Suk-yeol took office on Tues. as South Korea's new president. The conservative leader won by a razor-thin margin over his liberal opponent Lee Jae-myung.
CNBC
He promised in his inaugural speech to address the country's economic and social crisis by promoting "liberal democracy" and "science, technology and innovation."
nytimes
The former prosecutor also said that his government was ready for an "audacious plan" to bolster the North Korean economy should the DPRK undergo "complete denuclearization."
CNN
During his election campaign, he signaled a tougher stance towards N. Korea, threatening "preemptive strikes" if there were signs of a military attack.
The Diplomat
As a presidential candidate, Yoon also pledged to restore the strategic alliance with the US to address global challenges and to cooperate in the Indo-Pacific region.
VOA
Biden will meet Yoon in a three-day visit to S. Korea during his trip to Asia this month to promote a "free and open Indo-Pacific" and US treaty alliances.
Nikkei Asia

Sources Split

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The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

Yoon Suk-yeol is a divisive populist with dangerous similarities to Donald Trump. Like Trump, he's a political novice who favors divisive rhetoric instead of offering solutions to people's real problems. This doesn't bode well for the future of South Korea's domestic and foreign policy.

Korea Herald

Pro-establishment narrative

This is good news for freedom and democracy. South Korea will strengthen its role as a reliable partner for a values-based and liberal order alongside the US, even if Pres. Yoon Suk-yeol will have to adapt to changing geopolitical realities.

The Diplomat