South Korea Elects New President

SOUTH KOREA – Lee Jae-Myung was sworn in Wednesday as President of South Korea, without the usual transition period, vowing to restore democracy after his predecessor’s failed martial law bid.

But his honeymoon ends immediately as U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on Korean imports risk triggering an economic crisis. Trump may also demand higher payments or reshuffle U.S. troops in Korea, putting Seoul’s Security Alliance under pressure.

But to strengthen his hand, Lee says he plans to highlight Korea’s world-leading shipbuilding as proof that Seoul is indispensable to Washington.