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President of South Korea

Updated: Wikipedia source

President of South Korea

The president of the Republic of Korea (Korean: 대한민국 대통령), also known as the president of South Korea (한국 대통령), is the head of state and head of government of South Korea. The president directs the executive branch of the government and is the commander-in-chief of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. The Constitution of South Korea and the amended Presidential Election Act of 1987 provide for election of the president by direct, secret ballot, ending sixteen years of indirect presidential elections under the preceding two authoritarian governments. The president is directly elected to a five-year term, with no possibility of re-election. If a presidential vacancy should occur, a successor must be elected within sixty days, during which time presidential duties are to be performed by the prime minister or other senior cabinet members in the order of priority as determined by law. The president is exempt from criminal liability (except for insurrection or treason). On 3 June 2025, Lee Jae Myung of the Democratic Party was elected as president of South Korea. Due to the previous president's impeachment and expulsion from office, Lee was sworn in immediately the next day.

Infobox

Style
mw- Mr. President (informal) His Excellency (diplomatic)
Type
Head Of Executive Branch
Status
Head of stateHead of governmentCommander-in-chief
Member of
State CouncilNational Security CouncilNational Unification Advisory Council
Residence
Presidential Residence of South Korea
Seat
Seoul
Appointer
Direct popular vote
Term length
Five years,Non renewable
Constituting instrument
Constitution of South Korea (1948)
Precursor
President of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea
Formation
24 July 1948; 77 years ago (1948-07-24)
First holder
Syngman Rhee
Unofficial names
President of South Korea
Deputy
Prime Minister of South Korea
Salary
₩240,648,000/USD$ 165,084 annually (2024)
Website
Official website (in Korean)
Hangul
대한민국 대통령
Hanja
大韓民國大統領
RR
Daehanminguk daetongnyeong
MR
Taehanmin'guk taet'ongnyŏng

Tables

· Election › Latest election
Lee Jae-myung Kim Moon-soo Lee Jun-seok Vote share by municipalities and provinces (inset)
· Election › Latest election
Total
Total
Candidate
Total
Candidate
34,980,616
Party
100.00
Valid votes
Valid votes
Candidate
Valid votes
Candidate
34,980,616
Party
99.27
Invalid/blank votes
Invalid/blank votes
Candidate
Invalid/blank votes
Candidate
255,881
Party
0.73
Total votes
Total votes
Candidate
Total votes
Candidate
35,236,497
Party
100.00
Registered voters/turnout
Registered voters/turnout
Candidate
Registered voters/turnout
Candidate
44,391,871
Party
79.38
Source: National Election Commission
Source: National Election Commission
Candidate
Source: National Election Commission
Candidate
Party
Votes
%
Lee Jae Myung
Democratic Party
17,287,513
49.42
Kim Moon-soo
People Power Party
14,395,639
41.15
Lee Jun-seok
Reform Party
2,917,523
8.34
Kwon Yeong-guk
Democratic Labor Party
344,150
0.98
Song Jin-ho
Independent
35,791
0.10
Total
34,980,616
100.00
Valid votes
34,980,616
99.27
Invalid/blank votes
255,881
0.73
Total votes
35,236,497
100.00
Registered voters/turnout
44,391,871
79.38
Source: National Election Commission
Votes
Votes
Province/City
Votes
Lee Jae Myung
%
Lee Jae Myung
Votes
Kim Moon-soo
%
Kim Moon-soo
Votes
Lee Jun-seok
%
Lee Jun-seok
Votes
Kwon Yeong-guk
%
Kwon Yeong-guk
Votes
Song Jin-ho
%
Seoul
Seoul
Province/City
Seoul
Lee Jae Myung
3,105,459
Lee Jae Myung
47.13
Kim Moon-soo
2,738,405
Kim Moon-soo
41.56
Lee Jun-seok
655,346
Lee Jun-seok
9.95
Kwon Yeong-guk
83,900
Kwon Yeong-guk
1.27
Song Jin-ho
5,998
Song Jin-ho
0.09
Busan
Busan
Province/City
Busan
Lee Jae Myung
895,213
Lee Jae Myung
40.14
Kim Moon-soo
1,146,238
Kim Moon-soo
51.40
Lee Jun-seok
168,473
Lee Jun-seok
7.55
Kwon Yeong-guk
18,189
Kwon Yeong-guk
0.82
Song Jin-ho
2,099
Song Jin-ho
0.09
Daegu
Daegu
Province/City
Daegu
Lee Jae Myung
379,130
Lee Jae Myung
23.23
Kim Moon-soo
1,103,913
Kim Moon-soo
67.63
Lee Jun-seok
135,376
Lee Jun-seok
8.29
Kwon Yeong-guk
12,531
Kwon Yeong-guk
0.77
Song Jin-ho
1,362
Song Jin-ho
0.08
Incheon
Incheon
Province/City
Incheon
Lee Jae Myung
1,044,295
Lee Jae Myung
51.68
Kim Moon-soo
776,952
Kim Moon-soo
38.45
Lee Jun-seok
176,739
Lee Jun-seok
8.75
Kwon Yeong-guk
20,743
Kwon Yeong-guk
1.03
Song Jin-ho
2,098
Song Jin-ho
0.10
Gwangju
Gwangju
Province/City
Gwangju
Lee Jae Myung
844,682
Lee Jae Myung
84.77
Kim Moon-soo
79,937
Kim Moon-soo
8.02
Lee Jun-seok
62,104
Lee Jun-seok
6.23
Kwon Yeong-guk
8,767
Kwon Yeong-guk
0.88
Song Jin-ho
934
Song Jin-ho
0.09
Daejeon
Daejeon
Province/City
Daejeon
Lee Jae Myung
470,321
Lee Jae Myung
48.51
Kim Moon-soo
393,549
Kim Moon-soo
40.59
Lee Jun-seok
94,724
Lee Jun-seok
9.77
Kwon Yeong-guk
9,905
Kwon Yeong-guk
1.02
Song Jin-ho
1,109
Song Jin-ho
0.11
Ulsan
Ulsan
Province/City
Ulsan
Lee Jae Myung
315,820
Lee Jae Myung
42.54
Kim Moon-soo
353,180
Kim Moon-soo
47.57
Lee Jun-seok
63,177
Lee Jun-seok
8.51
Kwon Yeong-guk
9,299
Kwon Yeong-guk
1.25
Song Jin-ho
899
Song Jin-ho
0.12
Sejong
Sejong
Province/City
Sejong
Lee Jae Myung
140,620
Lee Jae Myung
55.63
Kim Moon-soo
83,965
Kim Moon-soo
33.22
Lee Jun-seok
25,004
Lee Jun-seok
9.89
Kwon Yeong-guk
2,961
Kwon Yeong-guk
1.17
Song Jin-ho
235
Song Jin-ho
0.09
Gyeonggi
Gyeonggi
Province/City
Gyeonggi
Lee Jae Myung
4,821,148
Lee Jae Myung
52.21
Kim Moon-soo
3,504,620
Kim Moon-soo
37.95
Lee Jun-seok
816,435
Lee Jun-seok
8.84
Kwon Yeong-guk
84,074
Kwon Yeong-guk
0.91
Song Jin-ho
8,356
Song Jin-ho
0.09
Gangwon
Gangwon
Province/City
Gangwon
Lee Jae Myung
449,161
Lee Jae Myung
43.96
Kim Moon-soo
483,360
Kim Moon-soo
47.31
Lee Jun-seok
78,704
Lee Jun-seok
7.70
Kwon Yeong-guk
9,422
Kwon Yeong-guk
0.92
Song Jin-ho
1,137
Song Jin-ho
0.11
North Chungcheong
North Chungcheong
Province/City
North Chungcheong
Lee Jae Myung
501,990
Lee Jae Myung
47.47
Kim Moon-soo
457,065
Kim Moon-soo
43.22
Lee Jun-seok
86,984
Lee Jun-seok
8.23
Kwon Yeong-guk
10,169
Kwon Yeong-guk
0.96
Song Jin-ho
1,228
Song Jin-ho
0.12
South Chungcheong
South Chungcheong
Province/City
South Chungcheong
Lee Jae Myung
661,316
Lee Jae Myung
47.68
Kim Moon-soo
600,108
Kim Moon-soo
43.27
Lee Jun-seok
111,092
Lee Jun-seok
8.01
Kwon Yeong-guk
12,893
Kwon Yeong-guk
0.93
Song Jin-ho
1,519
Song Jin-ho
0.11
North Jeolla
North Jeolla
Province/City
North Jeolla
Lee Jae Myung
1,023,272
Lee Jae Myung
82.65
Kim Moon-soo
134,996
Kim Moon-soo
10.90
Lee Jun-seok
67,961
Lee Jun-seok
5.49
Kwon Yeong-guk
10,061
Kwon Yeong-guk
0.81
Song Jin-ho
1,719
Song Jin-ho
0.14
South Jeolla
South Jeolla
Province/City
South Jeolla
Lee Jae Myung
1,111,941
Lee Jae Myung
85.87
Kim Moon-soo
110,624
Kim Moon-soo
8.54
Lee Jun-seok
60,822
Lee Jun-seok
4.70
Kwon Yeong-guk
9,352
Kwon Yeong-guk
0.72
Song Jin-ho
2,104
Song Jin-ho
0.16
North Gyeongsang
North Gyeongsang
Province/City
North Gyeongsang
Lee Jae Myung
442,683
Lee Jae Myung
25.53
Kim Moon-soo
1,159,594
Kim Moon-soo
66.87
Lee Jun-seok
116,094
Lee Jun-seok
6.69
Kwon Yeong-guk
13,884
Kwon Yeong-guk
0.80
Song Jin-ho
1,788
Song Jin-ho
0.10
South Gyeongsang
South Gyeongsang
Province/City
South Gyeongsang
Lee Jae Myung
851,733
Lee Jae Myung
39.40
Kim Moon-soo
1,123,843
Kim Moon-soo
51.99
Lee Jun-seok
161,579
Lee Jun-seok
7.47
Kwon Yeong-guk
21,809
Kwon Yeong-guk
1.01
Song Jin-ho
2,678
Song Jin-ho
0.12
Jeju
Jeju
Province/City
Jeju
Lee Jae Myung
228,729
Lee Jae Myung
54.77
Kim Moon-soo
145,290
Kim Moon-soo
34.79
Lee Jun-seok
36,909
Lee Jun-seok
8.84
Kwon Yeong-guk
6,191
Kwon Yeong-guk
1.48
Song Jin-ho
528
Song Jin-ho
0.13
Total
Total
Province/City
Total
Lee Jae Myung
17,287,513
Lee Jae Myung
49.42
Kim Moon-soo
14,395,639
Kim Moon-soo
41.15
Lee Jun-seok
2,917,523
Lee Jun-seok
8.34
Kwon Yeong-guk
344,150
Kwon Yeong-guk
0.98
Song Jin-ho
35,791
Song Jin-ho
0.10
Source: National Election Commission
Source: National Election Commission
Province/City
Source: National Election Commission
Province/City
Lee Jae Myung
Kim Moon-soo
Lee Jun-seok
Kwon Yeong-guk
Song Jin-ho
Votes
%
Votes
%
Votes
%
Votes
%
Votes
%
Seoul
3,105,459
47.13
2,738,405
41.56
655,346
9.95
83,900
1.27
5,998
0.09
Busan
895,213
40.14
1,146,238
51.40
168,473
7.55
18,189
0.82
2,099
0.09
Daegu
379,130
23.23
1,103,913
67.63
135,376
8.29
12,531
0.77
1,362
0.08
Incheon
1,044,295
51.68
776,952
38.45
176,739
8.75
20,743
1.03
2,098
0.10
Gwangju
844,682
84.77
79,937
8.02
62,104
6.23
8,767
0.88
934
0.09
Daejeon
470,321
48.51
393,549
40.59
94,724
9.77
9,905
1.02
1,109
0.11
Ulsan
315,820
42.54
353,180
47.57
63,177
8.51
9,299
1.25
899
0.12
Sejong
140,620
55.63
83,965
33.22
25,004
9.89
2,961
1.17
235
0.09
Gyeonggi
4,821,148
52.21
3,504,620
37.95
816,435
8.84
84,074
0.91
8,356
0.09
Gangwon
449,161
43.96
483,360
47.31
78,704
7.70
9,422
0.92
1,137
0.11
North Chungcheong
501,990
47.47
457,065
43.22
86,984
8.23
10,169
0.96
1,228
0.12
South Chungcheong
661,316
47.68
600,108
43.27
111,092
8.01
12,893
0.93
1,519
0.11
North Jeolla
1,023,272
82.65
134,996
10.90
67,961
5.49
10,061
0.81
1,719
0.14
South Jeolla
1,111,941
85.87
110,624
8.54
60,822
4.70
9,352
0.72
2,104
0.16
North Gyeongsang
442,683
25.53
1,159,594
66.87
116,094
6.69
13,884
0.80
1,788
0.10
South Gyeongsang
851,733
39.40
1,123,843
51.99
161,579
7.47
21,809
1.01
2,678
0.12
Jeju
228,729
54.77
145,290
34.79
36,909
8.84
6,191
1.48
528
0.13
Total
17,287,513
49.42
14,395,639
41.15
2,917,523
8.34
344,150
0.98
35,791
0.10
Source: National Election Commission
· Timeline of presidents
Choi Kyu-hah, Chun Doo-hwan, Kim Young-sam, Lee Myung-bak, Park Chung Hee, Park Geun-hye, Roh Tae-woo, Syngman Rhee, and Yoon Suk Yeol
Choi Kyu-hah, Chun Doo-hwan, Kim Young-sam, Lee Myung-bak, Park Chung Hee, Park Geun-hye, Roh Tae-woo, Syngman Rhee, and Yoon Suk Yeol
Ideology
Conservative
#
9
Time in office
21765 days
Name(s)
Choi Kyu-hah, Chun Doo-hwan, Kim Young-sam, Lee Myung-bak, Park Chung Hee, Park Geun-hye, Roh Tae-woo, Syngman Rhee, and Yoon Suk Yeol
Kim Dae-jung, Lee Jae Myung (incumbent), Moon Jae-in, Roh Moo-hyun, and Yun Po-sun
Kim Dae-jung, Lee Jae Myung (incumbent), Moon Jae-in, Roh Moo-hyun, and Yun Po-sun
Ideology
Liberal
#
5
Time in office
6258 days
Name(s)
Kim Dae-jung, Lee Jae Myung (incumbent), Moon Jae-in, Roh Moo-hyun, and Yun Po-sun
Ideology
#
Time in office
Name(s)
Conservative
9
21765 days
Choi Kyu-hah, Chun Doo-hwan, Kim Young-sam, Lee Myung-bak, Park Chung Hee, Park Geun-hye, Roh Tae-woo, Syngman Rhee, and Yoon Suk Yeol
Liberal
5
6258 days
Kim Dae-jung, Lee Jae Myung (incumbent), Moon Jae-in, Roh Moo-hyun, and Yun Po-sun

References

  1. 본관; 本館; lit. 'Main House'
  2. 영빈관; 迎賓館; lit. 'Welcome-Guest House'
  3. As of 11 December 2025.
  4. Goh Kun served as acting president during Roh's suspension from 12 March 2004 to 14 May 2004.
  5. Hwang Kyo-ahn served as acting president during Park's suspension from 9 December 2016 to 10 May 2017.
  6. Han Duck-soo served as acting president from 14 December 2024 to his own impeachment on 27 December 2024. Choi Sang-mok
  7. Executive Order: 공무원보수규정(제31380호)(20210105) / (별표 32) 고정급적 연봉제 적용대상 공무원의 연봉표(제35조 관련) (in Korean)
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/%28%EB%B3%84%ED%91%9C_32%29_%EA%B3%A0%EC%A0%95%EA%B8%89%EC%A0%81_%EC%97%B0%EB%B4%89%EC%A0%9C_%EC%A0%81%EC%9A%A9%EB%8C%80%EC%83%81_%EA%B3%B5%EB%AC%B4%EC%9B%90%EC%9D%98_%EC%97%B0%EB%B4%89%ED%91%9C%28%EC%A0%9C35%EC%A1%B0_%EA%B4%80%EB%A0%A8%29.pdf
  8. Article 70 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea.
  9. The Chosun Daily
    https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2025/06/03/TLR6KGN2WBB6HEMAVJKKIBJOFE/
  10. The Korea Times
    https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/politics/20250604/lee-jae-myung-factory-worker-turned-reformer-set-to-lead-korea
  11. Yonhap News Agency
    https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250604001400315
  12. Article 53 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea
  13. Demirbülak H.K., Changing the Status of the Presidency: A Comparison of Constitutional Amendments in South Korea and Tur
    https://acikbilim.yok.gov.tr/bitstream/handle/20.500.12812/323569/yokAcikBilim_10158622.pdf
  14. Yap F., Term Limits in South Korea: Promises and Perils. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
    https://academic.oup.com/book/35074/chapter-abstract/299063294?redirectedFrom=fulltext
  15. Korean Laws in English
    http://www.moleg.go.kr/english/korLawEng?pstSeq=54794
  16. National Law Enforcement Center
    https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/eng/engLsSc.do?menuId=2&section=lawNm&query=CONSTITUTIONAL+COURT+ACT&x=0&y=0#liBgcolor0
  17. The Korea Herald
    http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20161208000727
  18. "Park Geun-hye fired as court upholds impeachment"
    http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/03/park-geun-hye-impeachment-170310020959193.html
  19. BBC
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c140xjv31lxo
  20. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj30234e0djo
  21. Asia Times
    https://asiatimes.com/2022/03/yoon-vs-moon-war-over-cursed-blue-house/
  22. The Korea Times
    https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/04/113_328870.html
  23. Yonhap
    https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250603005500315
  24. Yonhap
    https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250605010400315
  25. KBS World Radio
    http://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=147693
  26. American Enterprise Institute – AEI
    https://www.aei.org/foreign-and-defense-policy/asia/south-koreas-troubling-history-of-jailing-ex-presidents/
  27. Newsweek
    https://www.newsweek.com/south-korean-presidents-all-seem-end-dead-or-court-874613
  28. The Diplomat
    https://thediplomat.com/2018/10/the-south-korean-presidency-isnt-cursed-it-just-needs-to-be-reformed/
  29. "Park Geun-hye stripped of all presidential perks, to move out of Blue House immediately"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20170511121342/http://www.asiaone.com/asia/park-geun-hye-stripped-all-presidential-perks-move-out-blue-house-immediately
  30. KBS
    https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3383860
  31. The Korea Herald
    https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10508961
  32. "New emblem of presidential office"
    https://en.yna.co.kr/view/PYH20221023075800320
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