Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung is projected to win the presidency, according to a joint exit poll from local broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS.
The results of exit polls conducted by the country’s major broadcasters were released after 77.9% of South Korea’s 44.39 million eligible voters had cast their ballots.
The joint survey – typically a reliable indicator that has closely matched final outcomes in past elections –projected Lee to receive 51.7% of the vote, ahead of his conservative opponent Kim Moon-soo, who is expected to secure 39.3%.
The Reform Party’s Lee Jun-seok, the third candidate in the race, is projected to garner 7.7%.
Lee Jae-myung, a former human rights lawyer who had twice unsuccessfully sought presidency, rose to prominence on wave of public outrage following declaration of martial law by now-impeached former leader Yoon Suk Yeol in early December.
