The U.S. ally has been without a permanent leader since late last year, when Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached over his botched declaration of martial law.

South Korea’s presidential election result was never really in doubt. The real question is which version of Lee Jae-myung will now govern the highly polarized nation of 50 million.

During May's televised debate ahead of the South Korean presidential election, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung was asked about the pro-labor "Yellow Envelope Act." Lee, who was elected as the country's 21st state head Tuesday,