South Korea chooses new president

South Korea has elected  Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party as successor of the impeached former President Park Geun-hye.  It was a decisive victory for the liberal politician, with voter turnout at a record high of more than 75 per cent.

Moon is taking over at a delicate time, with challenges on multiple fronts: South Korea is facing domestic economic problems, with unemployment among under-30s now at a record 10 per cent. On the foreign policy side, South Korea has to handle the regime in North Korea as well as restructure its relation with the US under President Trump.

Charles Hay, British Ambassador to South Korea, will brief Asia House corporate members this Thursday about the outcome of the election and what to expect from Moon’s presidency.