South Korean President Moon Jae-in held his first military briefing Wednesday within minutes of being confirmed as the country’s new leader.
Liberal favorite Moon eased to victory in Tuesday’s election with 41.08 percent of nearly 33 million votes -- around 17 percentage points ahead of his nearest rival in a field of 13 candidates, according to the local election watchdog.
Normally he would have weeks to prepare for office but he started immediately because this was a snap election to replace impeached ex-President Park Geun-hye.
Moon spoke with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Lee Sun-jin amid heightened tensions with North Korea, even before an inauguration ceremony.
“President Moon Jae-in began his official term as the 19th president as he exercised his legal authority as the commander in chief at 8:09 a.m. on May 10,” Seoul’s presidential office announced.
However, the new leader is seen as more willing to cooperate with North Korea than his predecessors.