Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate from South Korea's majority liberal Democratic Party, is certain to be elected the country's new president, local media reported on Tuesday. Lee made a short speech to supporters near his house before heading to the National Assembly building in central Seoul, saying that he respected the "people's great decision." He vowed to fulfill his responsibilities and missions and live up to the people's expectations. With 45 percent of the votes counted at 11:52 p.m. local time, Lee had won 49.10 percent and his rival Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party had garnered 42.55 percent, National Election Commission data showed. A joint exit poll, conducted by three terrestrial broadcasters in the country, showed Lee leading with 51.7 percent of the votes over Kim with 39.3 percent. Polls opened at 6:00 local time (2100 GMT Monday) and closed at 20:00 (1100 GMT Tuesday) on Tuesday with preliminary results expected in the early hours of Wednesday, and final counting completed later on Wednesday. After casting their votes on Tuesday, many citizens expressed their hopes for a better future of the country. Preliminary voter turnout reached 79.4 percent, the highest in 28 years since 80.7 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in 1997. Shotlist: Seoul, South Korea - June 3, 2025: FILE: Seoul, South Korea - Date Unknown 1. Various of national flags of South Korea, building, flag of South Korean government; FILE: Seoul, South Korea - Date Unknown 2. Presidential residence, traffic; Seoul, South Korea - June 3, 2025 3. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Cha Nam-sook, voter: "The economy is really tough right now. So, I'm hoping for a president who can turn things around - someone who's honest, clean, and truly devoted to the people and the country."; 4. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Han Min-gyu, voter: "As a parent, I just want my child to grow up in a better environment than we have now, and in a country where kids can thrive."; Seoul, South Korea - June 3, 2025 5. Staff counting votes; Seoul, South Korea - June 3, 2025 6. Various of voters registering information, casting ballots, polling booth 7. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Kim Seung-yoon, voter: "When I voted, I focused on economic stability, and also how our country is perceived both at home and abroad. But above all, I was looking for policies that would help make this a better place for children to grow up."; FILE: Seoul, South Korea - February 2025 8. National flags of South Korea; FILE: Seoul, South Korea - Date Unknown 9. Various of Gwanghwamun Square, traffic, people, statue. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]