Through the Lens: South Korea's new leader Lee Jae-myung
A selection of striking photos from across Asia
JUNE 6, 2025

Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party won South Korea’s presidential election on June 3. Here’s a look back at the vote and its aftermath through photos and video.
Lee Jae-myung
Lee Jae-myung, from South Korea’s Democratic Party, gestures during a campaign rally east of Seoul on May 30. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Lee Jae-myung, from South Korea’s Democratic Party, gestures during a campaign rally east of Seoul on May 30. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
A man sells lights bearing Lee Jae-myung’s name at a campaign rally in the South Korean capital on June 2. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
A man sells lights bearing Lee Jae-myung’s name at a campaign rally in the South Korean capital on June 2. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Lee Jae-myung takes a selfie with a supporter and a baby as he leaves a Seoul polling station on May 29 after casting his vote early. (Photo by Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)
Lee Jae-myung takes a selfie with a supporter and a baby as he leaves a Seoul polling station on May 29 after casting his vote early. (Photo by Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)
A police officer stands guard on the roof of a building at a venue for one of Lee Jae-myung’s campaign rallies in the city of Wonju on May 30. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
A police officer stands guard on the roof of a building at a venue for one of Lee Jae-myung’s campaign rallies in the city of Wonju on May 30. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
A member of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team inspects the stage at a campaign rally for Lee Jae-myung in a Seoul park on May 28. (Photo by Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)
A member of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team inspects the stage at a campaign rally for Lee Jae-myung in a Seoul park on May 28. (Photo by Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)
Lee Jae-myung bows during his final campaign rally in Seoul on June 2. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
Lee Jae-myung bows during his final campaign rally in Seoul on June 2. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
Lee Jae-myung poses for photos as he casts his vote early in Seoul on May 29. (Photo by Yonhap/Reuters)
Lee Jae-myung poses for photos as he casts his vote early in Seoul on May 29. (Photo by Yonhap/Reuters)
Kim Moon-soo
Presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party displays a T-shirt emblazoned with words that can be translated as “honest father, clean president” during a campaign rally in Seoul on June 1. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party displays a T-shirt emblazoned with words that can be translated as “honest father, clean president” during a campaign rally in Seoul on June 1. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Kim Moon-soo speaks during a rally in the nation’s capital city on June 1. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Kim Moon-soo speaks during a rally in the nation’s capital city on June 1. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Kim Moon-soo and others bow to supporters during a campaign rally in Seoul on June 1. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Kim Moon-soo and others bow to supporters during a campaign rally in Seoul on June 1. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Supporters holding posters of Kim Moon-soo cheer during a Seoul rally on June 1. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Supporters holding posters of Kim Moon-soo cheer during a Seoul rally on June 1. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Kim Moon-soo votes early at a polling station in Incheon on May 29. (Photo by Yonhap/Reuters)
Kim Moon-soo votes early at a polling station in Incheon on May 29. (Photo by Yonhap/Reuters)
Lee Jun-seok
Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party speaks at a campaign rally in the city of Anyang on May 31. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party speaks at a campaign rally in the city of Anyang on May 31. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
A supporter takes selfies with Lee Jun-seok during the rally in Anyang. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
A supporter takes selfies with Lee Jun-seok during the rally in Anyang. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Lee Jun-seok moves to shake hands with a supporter during an election campaign rally at a park in Seoul on May 28. (Photo by Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)
Lee Jun-seok moves to shake hands with a supporter during an election campaign rally at a park in Seoul on May 28. (Photo by Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)
Lee Jun-seok casts his ballot during early voting at a polling station in the city of Hwaseong on May 29. (Photo by Yonhap/Reuters)
Lee Jun-seok casts his ballot during early voting at a polling station in the city of Hwaseong on May 29. (Photo by Yonhap/Reuters)
Voters arrive at a polling station in Seoul on June 3.
National Election Commission officials count ballots in Seoul on June 3. (Photo by Kim Soo-hyeon/Reuters)
National Election Commission officials count ballots in Seoul on June 3. (Photo by Kim Soo-hyeon/Reuters)
Lawmakers from the Democratic Party react to the election results at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 3. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
Lawmakers from the Democratic Party react to the election results at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 3. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
People Power Party lawmakers take in the results at the National Assembly on June 3. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
People Power Party lawmakers take in the results at the National Assembly on June 3. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
New Reform Party Lee Jun-seok greets supporters at the National Assembly on June 3.
Supporters of Lee Jae-myung cheer outside the National Assembly on June 4. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Supporters of Lee Jae-myung cheer outside the National Assembly on June 4. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Supporters of Kim Moon-soo react in Seoul on June 3. (Photo by Jean Chung)
Supporters of Kim Moon-soo react in Seoul on June 3. (Photo by Jean Chung)
Lee Jae-myung gestures during an address in front of supporters in Seoul in the early hours of June 4. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Lee Jae-myung gestures during an address in front of supporters in Seoul in the early hours of June 4. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo speaks about his defeat in the National Assembly in Seoul early on June 4. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo speaks about his defeat in the National Assembly in Seoul early on June 4. (Photo by Ahn Seong-bok)
Lee Jae-myung and his wife bow as he greets his supporters in front of the National Assembly on June 4. (Photo by Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)
Lee Jae-myung and his wife bow as he greets his supporters in front of the National Assembly on June 4. (Photo by Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters)
Police officers stand guard in front of the National Assembly ahead of the presidential inauguration ceremony on June 4. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Police officers stand guard in front of the National Assembly ahead of the presidential inauguration ceremony on June 4. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Lee Jae-myung, center, leaves his house for his inauguration ceremony in Seoul on June 4. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Lee Jae-myung, center, leaves his house for his inauguration ceremony in Seoul on June 4. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Lee Jae-myung takes his oath during the presidential inauguration ceremony in Seoul on June 4. (Photo by Anthony Wallace/Reuters)
Lee Jae-myung takes his oath during the presidential inauguration ceremony in Seoul on June 4. (Photo by Anthony Wallace/Reuters)
South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung forms a heart shape with his arms as he greets supporters after his inauguration at National Assembly in Seoul on June 4. (Photo by Lee Jin-man/Pool/Reuters)
South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung forms a heart shape with his arms as he greets supporters after his inauguration at National Assembly in Seoul on June 4. (Photo by Lee Jin-man/Pool/Reuters)
Lee Jae-myung waves from his car as he leaves the National Assembly for the presidential office after his inauguration ceremony on June 4. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Lee Jae-myung waves from his car as he leaves the National Assembly for the presidential office after his inauguration ceremony on June 4. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)