Supporters cheer as Lee Jae-myung leads exit poll

Supporters of South Korea’s Democratic Party celebrated as exit polls showed Lee Jae-myung leading Tuesday’s snap presidential election. Lee received 51.7% of the vote, ahead of conservative Kim Moon Soo’s 39.3%. Voter turnout hit a record high with 77% of the electorate casting ballots.

The election followed former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment for attempting martial law. Yoon faces criminal charges for insurrection. Polls surveyed 100,000 voters and included 15,000 phone interviews. South Korea’s exit polls have been accurate in previous elections. The result signals public desire for change and reform.