The U.S. ally has been without a permanent leader since late last year, when Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached over his botched declaration of martial law.

Lee Jae-myung, the liberal South Korean politician elected on Tuesday as the country's next leader, overcame a knife attack, martial law and criminal charges on his unexpected path to the presidency.

After half a year of political turmoil, uncertainty and division, South Korea is voting for a new president to succeed Yoon Suk Yeol, the disgraced former leader who plunged the democratic nation into chaos by declaring martial law in December.