Lee Jae-myung administration kicks off with parliament's backing and weakened opposition

For a closer look at the 21st presidential election and beyond, our political correspondent Kim Do-yeon joins us here in the studio with us.

Do-yeon, Lee Jae-myung won the election this morning with some 49-percent of support. What can you tell us about this figure?

That's right, Jung-min. To repeat the number — he received 49.4 percent of the votes.

First, let's put that into perspective.

Since 1987, when direct presidential elections began, only one president has secured more than 50 percent of the vote — President Park Geun-hye, who still holds the record for the highest share.

Had Lee crossed that 50-percent mark, it would've added even more momentum to his policy agenda, as it's quite a rare achievement.

But, as you can see, he still has the second-highest percentage.

That's why some voices inside the Democratic Party are calling it a sobering message from the public — to remain humble despite the strong support throughout the campaign.

The message comes against the backdrop of earlier opinion polls and even exit polls, which suggested Lee might secure a majority — but he ultimately fell short.

Now, two key numbers to highlight:

First, he received more votes than any other president in Korean history — breaking the previous record set by former president Yoon.

Lee secured 17.3 million votes.

It was also the highest voter turnout since 1997.

Another notable comparison is Lee's growth from the last presidential race.

He received 47.83 percent in 2022.

This time, 49.4 percent — roughly a 1.5 percentage point increase.

In terms of actual votes, 1,139,775 more people voted for Lee compared to three years ago, as the turnout was higher.

Now, let's turn to the political landscape after the election.

The DP holds the majority in parliament. What does this mean for the new government?

That's exactly right.

The DP can now push through bills as it sees fit.

For context, during the past three years under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration — including acting presidents — 40 bills were vetoed, as many were passed unilaterally by the DP-controlled legislature.

But now, with both the presidency and parliamentary majority, the DP holds full control.

The only option left for the opposition People Power Party is to filibuster.

Still, Lee has extended an olive branch — sitting down with leaders of all parties and promising cooperation

Of course, this is just the beginning — and PPP interim leader Kim Yong-tae has urged the president to acknowledge proportional representation and work together.

"If the president and ruling party recognize proportional representation — a core value of democracy — and pursue cooperative politics, then the People Power Party will actively engage and cooperate where possible."

Another area to watch: the nomination of a new prime minister.

Lee has named Kim Min-seok as his nominee.

Under the previous administration, these confirmation hearings often became political flashpoints, with the opposition blocking or resisting cabinet picks.

While ministers can be appointed even without opposition support, prime ministers require National Assembly approval.

But now, with the DP's majority, even the prime minister nomination is expected to move smoothly — and ministerial confirmation hearings will likely be much shorter.

All right. Now let's shift to the People Power Party.

I hear the party is going through the aftermath of its defeat.

That's right, Jung-min.

The election itself was triggered by the impeachment of PPP's own president.

Let's first listen to what the PPP candidate Kim Moon-soo had to say about the party's failures:

"First and foremost, I believe our party lacks a fundamental understanding and commitment to the principles of democracy — the determination to uphold those principles. That is what led to the unimaginable act of declaring martial law."

This was Kim's strongest criticism yet over the martial law declaration — the very issue at the heart of the party's need for so-called "renewal" to move forward.

Broadly, the party remains divided between two factions — those who supported Yoon's impeachment and those who remain loyal to him.

And with the election outcome, as Kim pointed out, the people have spoken: the martial law declaration was wrong.

The party now faces the challenge of reshaping itself accordingly.