SEOUL - President Lee Jae-myung formally began his five-year term on Wednesday after the National Election Commission (NEC) confirmed his election victory, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Lee assumed the presidency at 6.21am, following the NEC's approval of his win during a plenary session.
He takes office immediately without a transition period, as the snap election was held on Tuesday to replace former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted over a failed bid to impose martial law.
He assumed presidential duties, including the role of commander-in-chief, from Acting President Lee Ju-ho.
Lee, the liberal Democratic Party (DP) candidate, won the election with 49.42 percent of the vote, defeating his conservative People Power Party rival Kim Moon-soo, who received 41.15 percent.
DP floor leader Park Chan-dae is set to collect the official certificate of election from the NEC office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul.
On the first day, Lee will be sworn in during a scaled-down inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly at 11 am.
Prior to the ceremony, he plans to pay tribute at Seoul National Cemetery. - BERNAMA-YONHAP