South Koreans Have a New President, and Mixed Emotions

After half a year of political upheaval, many South Koreans heaved a sigh of relief as a new president was sworn in this week, promising to unify a divided nation and bolster a sagging economy.

But for many, hope was also mixed with anxiety about scale of challenges facing their new leader, even among some who voted for him.

Lee Jae-myung, the more progressive candidate, won a five-year term in the snap election to succeed his longtime rival, Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached and ousted for declaring martial law in December, setting off a political crisis.

“It feels like we’re starting to get our country back,” said Lee Hye-ye, a 34-year-old office worker in the beauty industry in Seoul. Ms. Lee said she had faith that if the new president was “strong enough to get rid of Yoon, he’s strong enough to put the nation back on track.”

Her main concern when voting was the growing divide in the nation. Throughout his campaign, Mr. Lee spoke of the need to heal this division. He struck the same note on Wednesday, as supporters watching his speech on a large screen outside the Parliament building waved the South Korean flag and cheered. The mood was a contrast to six months earlier, when protesters galvanized by Mr. Lee gathered there to angrily demand Mr. Yoon’s removal.

“It is time to build a bridge of coexistence, reconciliation and solidarity,” Mr. Lee said. “The future beckons us.”