NAT'L CEMETERY COVERAGE

For in-depth analysis of today's event and insights into what lies ahead on the President's first day in office, we're joined in the studio by Choi Hyun Jin, associate professor of political science at Kyung Hee University and Song Se-ryun, professor of law at Kyung Hee University.

We are soon expecting to see President Lee step out of his private residence for the very first time in his new role as South Korea's leader.

His first official engagement will be visiting the National Cemetery in Seoul's Dongjak-gu District.

As we await the live feed, we'll recap the 21st presidential election and break down what's ahead for the president's first day in office.

We often hear that the National Cemetery is a deeply symbolic place for South Korea.

What is the National Cemetery? Please elaborate on its significance.

Many past presidents began their first official day with a visit here.

What message does that send, and why is this tradition so consistent?

For our viewers unfamiliar with the formalities, what does the president's visit typically involve?

What are the key ceremonial steps?

One element that often draws close attention is the cemetery log message the president writes after paying tribute.

What kind of message do you expect from President Lee today, and what might that reveal about his priorities?

Another point of interest is who accompanies the president.

Is there any significance to the presence or absence of certain figures?

Given that this election was triggered by the impeachment of the previous president, could you clarify:

At what precise moment did the title "President" legally take effect?

And are there any differences in protocol because this was a snap election?

Now that President Lee's five-year term has officially begun, what direction do you expect the new president to emphasize in his first few weeks in office?

Later today, the inauguration ceremony of President Lee is set to take place at the National Assembly.

These ceremonies vary depending on context. For example, former President Moon Jae-in's was a simplified affair following the 2017 snap election, while former President Yoon Suk Yeol was far more elaborate. Do you expect today's inauguration to be similarly modest or the other way around?

What do you think will be the key themes in the President's inaugural speech later today?

With no transition period due to this being a snap election, how might that impact the tone and pace of governance from day one?

President Lee inherits a divided nation still reeling from the shock of last December's martial law declaration.

What are the biggest legal and institutional challenges his administration faces in rebuilding public trust and restoring stability?

This election drew a voter turnout of 79.4 percent, the highest in almost three decades.

How do you interpret that figure?

Compared to past elections, did anything stand out to you this time, for example, in terms of voter behavior, generational divides, or regional shifts?

Many have said that the new president has a lot on his plate, having to address issues that have been put on hold due to the political chaos since the martial law declaration.

We're going to focus on some key policy areas that have been top of mind for the president since the campaigning period.

On the foreign policy front, how do you expect the new president to approach relations with North Korea?

What about Japan and China?

The economy was front and center in this presidential campaign, not only for President Lee but for other candidates as well.

What steps do you expect from the new president to deliver on promises like job creation, housing reform, and revitalizing growth?