After the election of Lee Jae-myung, the candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, was assured, foreign media reported in real time on the 6.3 presidential election situation. In particular, U.S. news organizations have offered mixed forecasts about the relationship between the next government and the Donald Trump administration.
Bloomberg News, citing the opinions of numerous experts, predicted changes in relations between the two countries following Lee Jae-myung's election. According to Bloomberg News, economists affiliated with Goldman Sachs analyzed in a report that the new government is expected to resume progress in U.S.-Korea trade negotiations.
In particular, he added that the reduction of policy uncertainty, large-scale fiscal stimulus, and stock market-friendly policies would support Goldman Sachs's optimistic outlook on the strength of the won amidst the easing dominance of the U.S. economy.
However, Bruce Klingner, a senior researcher at the Heritage Foundation responsible for Northeast Asia, expressed skepticism about Lee Jae-myung's foreign policy in an interview with Bloomberg.
Klingner said, "Lee Jae-myung has rebranded himself as a centrist candidate while moderating his past extreme foreign policies. However, it remains to be seen whether he will truly deviate from his previous stances advocating a conciliatory approach toward China and North Korea, nationalist resentment toward Japan, and greater autonomy in the Korea-U.S. alliance."
CNN reported that according to exit poll results from three broadcasting companies, Lee Jae-myung is expected to record a majority vote, noting that "official counting results have not yet been announced, but exit poll results in past elections have been very similar to final tallies."
CNN reported that if Lee Jae-myung is elected, he will face numerous tasks to resolve, ranging from an economic crisis to tariff negotiations with the U.S. and relations with North Korea. At the same time, it mentioned that Lee Jae-myung is involved as a defendant in several trials, including allegations of favoritism in real estate development.
The Wall Street Journal reported that based on exit poll results, a progressive politician who has been wary of excessive reliance on the United States is expected to win the South Korean presidential election.
The Wall Street Journal, citing Darcy Draut-Behares, a Korea expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, predicted that "Trump may demand increases in stationing costs in Korea, relaxation of non-tariff barriers, and cooperation on denuclearization negotiations with North Korea, but under Lee Jae-myung’s administration, there may be significant pushback against this." He also added, "Relations between South Korea and the U.S. could deteriorate rapidly."
The Associated Press reported in a Seoul-based article that victory for Lee Jae-myung is anticipated, stating, "This victory will conclude months of political turmoil triggered by the military declaration of former conservative leader Yoon Suk-yeol, who was impeached."
French AFP evaluated, "The centrist-left candidate is expected to win in a landslide, and this election, which recorded the highest voter turnout in nearly 30 years, will put an end to the political turmoil that has lasted for months."