2007 South Korean Presidential Election: Lee Myung-bak's Landslide Victory
On 19 December 2007, South Korea held a pivotal presidential election that fundamentally shifted the nation's political landscape. The election resulted in a decisive victory for Lee Myung-bak of the Grand National Party, marking a significant return to conservative leadership in the Blue House—the official residence and office of the President of South Korea—for the first time in a decade.
Lee Myung-bak secured his mandate with a nearly 2-to-1 margin over his closest rivals, achieving the largest victory margin since the reintroduction of direct elections in 1987. However, the election was also characterized by a record-low voter turnout of 63.03%, according to the National Election Commission.
Key Facts
- Winner: Lee Myung-bak (Grand National Party)
- Election Date: 19 December 2007
- Voter Turnout: 63.03% (an all-time low at the time)
- Margin of Victory: Lee defeated the runner-up by a nearly 2-to-1 margin
- Historical Significance: First time a president-elect was under investigation by a prosecutor
The Major Candidates and Results
The race was primarily a three-way contest between the Grand National Party, the Grand Unified Democratic New Party, and an independent conservative candidate. While several other candidates participated, they polled below the 10% threshold.
Primary Contenders
- Lee Myung-bak: Representing the Grand National Party.
- Chung Dong-young: The nominee for the Grand Unified Democratic New Party.
- Lee Hoi-chang: A conservative running as an independent.
- Moon Kook-hyun: Former Yuhan Kimberly CEO representing Creative Korea.
The final results demonstrated a clear preference for Lee Myung-bak across much of the country, particularly in major urban centers and conservative strongholds.
| Candidate | Party | Popular Vote | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Myung-bak | Grand National Party | 11,492,389 | 48.67% |
| Chung Dong-young | Grand Unified Democratic New Party | 6,174,681 | 26.15% |
| Lee Hoi-chang | Independent | 3,559,963 | 15.08% |
| Moon Kook-hyun | Creative Korea | 1,375,498 | 5.83% |
The Path to Nomination: Party Primaries
Before the general election, each major party held its own internal selection process, known as a primary, to determine their official nominee.
Grand National Party Primaries
The Grand National Party primary featured five candidates, including former Mayor of Seoul Lee Myung-bak and National Assemblywoman Park Geun-hye. The process utilized a weighted system: 20% from opinion polling and 80% from the popular vote of pre-registered electors. Lee Myung-bak won with a narrow margin, leading to some controversy regarding the polling method, though Park Geun-hye conceded the race.
Grand Unified Democratic New Party Primaries
The Grand Unified Democratic New Party saw a crowded field of nine candidates. After an initial opinion poll narrowed the field to the top five, a series of regional races and mobile voting determined the winner. Chung Dong-young was officially named the party's nominee at the UNDP National Convention on 15 October 2007.
Democratic Labor and Creative Korea Primaries
The Democratic Labor Party utilized both online and offline voting methods. Following a two-round process, Kwon Young-ghil emerged as the nominee. Meanwhile, Moon Kook-hyun secured the Creative Korea Party nomination through a mobile voting system with 95% support from party members.
Controversies and Investigations
The election period was not without legal and political tension. It marked the first instance in South Korean history where a president-elect faced investigation by a prosecutor. Additionally, later reports and leaked diplomatic cables raised questions regarding the handling of the BBK embezzlement scandal and investigations into Lee Myung-bak's real estate information by the National Intelligence Service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2007 South Korean presidential election?
Lee Myung-bak of the Grand National Party won the election with 48.67% of the popular vote.
What was the voter turnout for this election?
The voter turnout was 63.03%, which was recorded as an all-time low by the National Election Commission at that time.
How did the Grand National Party select its nominee?
The party used a combination of opinion polling (weighted at 20%) and a popular vote by pre-registered electors (weighted at 80%).
Who were the main challengers to Lee Myung-bak?
The primary challengers were Chung Dong-young of the Grand Unified Democratic New Party and independent candidate Lee Hoi-chang.
Was there any controversy surrounding the election?
Yes, the election was notable for being the first time a president-elect was under prosecutorial investigation, and there were subsequent controversies regarding intelligence service activities and the BBK embezzlement scandal.