In inauguration address, Moon Jae-in said he will serve as a role model for good governance and step up diplomatic efforts to resolve North Korean nuclear threat
Moon Jae-in has been sworn into office as president of South Korea, just one day after winning the presidential election by the widest margin of victory in the country’s history.
The early election was brought on by the impeachment of ex-President Park Geun-hye for her alleged involvement in a corruption scandal in which large family run conglomerates paid over $69 million to dubious foundations run by her close friend and associates in return for government favors.
WATCH: Video report of Moon Jae-in’s inauguration
In his inauguration address at the National Assembly Wednesday, the liberal leader of the Democratic Party of Korea said he will lead by example to end government corruption.
“I will be a clean president. I come to my inauguration for president with nothing in my hands and I will step out with nothing in my hands. Later I will go back to my home and become an ordinary citizen, ” said President Moon.
Because an un-elected acting government was put in place during the impeachment process, Moon was inaugurated with little fanfare just hours after the official election results were announced.
Checks and balances
On the domestic front, Moon said he will initiate political reforms to put checks and balances on the power of the presidency and crack down on illicit corporate practices. He has also promised to increase government spending on education and job creation while increasing taxes on the wealthy.
Moon won 13.4 million votes, 41 percent of the electorate, according to the National Election Commission. Overall 32 million votes were cast, making voter turnout in this election the highest in 20 years.
While the new president fell short of winning an outright majority, his closest competitor in a field of 13 candidates, conservative Liberty Korea Party candidate Hong Joon-pyo, won just 7.
