Moon Jae-in is President of South Korea

Seoul: Moon Jae-in assumed the office of President of South Korea yesterday. He was announced the winner of Tuesday’s election, with 41.1% of the vote, and sworn in yesterday at the Korean National Assembly. Moon is succeeding the impeached President Park Geun-hye.

Moon has promised to unite his country, which faces tensions due to the corruption scandals of the previous president. He has also vowed to promote peace between the two Koreas. One way Moon is attempting to improve the relationship between South Korea and North Korea is by reopening the Kaesong Industrial Region, an industrial park on the Korean border jointly run by both Koreas. Moon also wishes to reform chaebol, a type of conglomerate run by powerful families. An example of a chaebol is Samsung, whose vice-chariman Lee Jae-yong was arrested for allegations of bribery under the previous president Park Guen-hye.

Archives related to the region

In more international affairs, Moon has said he is reconsidering the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) deployments of the United States, as he believes they could damage relations with China.

Moon’s parents were North Korean refugees. He worked as a human rights lawyer after serving in the South Korean special forces.

International reactions

We congratulate President-elect Moon Jae-in and join the people of South Korea in celebrating their peaceful, democratic transition of power: White House

I would like to work with you to ensure the development of Sino-South Korean ties better benefits the two countries and peoples: Xi Jinping, President, China

South Africa looks forward to working with the South Korean Government under the leadership of President Moon to consolidate the already strong political, trade and investment cooperation between South Africa and the Republic of Korea: Jacob Zuma, President, South Africa

I wish you every success in uniting the Korean people at this critical juncture: Tony Tan Keng Yam, President, Singapore

Japan and South Korea face common challenges such as the issue of North Korea. If we cooperate, we can further contribute to the peace and prosperity in the region: Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister, Japan

문재인 후보의 대한민국 대통령 당선을 진심으로 축하드립니다. 특별 전략적 동반자 관계인 한국과의 긴밀한 협력을 위해 가까운 시일 내에 만나뵙기를 바랍니다. @MoonJaeIn365

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 10, 2017

— Prime Minister, India

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