In a public statement titled What We Expect From the New President, Rev. Kim Jong-hyuk, president of the United Christian Churches of Korea, expressed hope that the newly elected president Lee Jae-myung and the government will bring about new hope and respect in a political landscape marked by division.

“We look forward to a president and government that can transform the history of Korean politics—filled with distrust, division, hatred and confrontation—into one of new hope and mutual respect,” Kim said in the June 3 statement, as reported by Christian Daily Korea. “We pray for God’s grace and blessing on this new chapter.”

The statement came in the wake of South Korea’s 2025 snap presidential election, in which liberal candidate Lee of the Democratic Party secured victory with approximately 49.3% of the vote, defeating conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, who garnered around 41.3%. The election was prompted by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, following his controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024.

Kim noted that the election followed a period of political turmoil and said the people have high expectations for the new leadership they have chosen. 

“For the past three years, our nation has endured governmental instability and social division caused by political leadership,” he said. “Externally, threats to national security, the reshaping of the international order, and economic uncertainty have shaken national trust. Internally, the absence of leadership and unnecessary, wasteful conflicts have compounded hardships in people’s daily lives.”

Kim emphasized that the newly elected president now bears the heavy responsibility of not only stabilizing state affairs but also promoting national unity and taking charge of the people’s livelihoods and the country’s future.

“To this end, the president must reflect on the failures of past administrations and serve not only those who supported him, but all citizens—including those who did not vote for him—by narrowing ideological divides and focusing on pressing livelihood and economic issues that will improve people’s lives,” he said.

He added that the president must also take the lead in the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula through diplomacy rooted in self-reliant national defense, while strengthening national sovereignty and ensuring the stable development of a free and democratic republic.

Kim urged the new administration to break from the pattern of past governments that, under the pretext of reform, engaged in undemocratic governance and failed to respect opposing views—resulting in widespread division and public suffering.

“Recognizing the pain this has caused, we ask the president to put greater effort into building public understanding and consensus,” he said.

“We want a successful president and a successful government,” Kim concluded. “That would benefit all citizens and offer a better Republic of Korea to the next generation.”