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.

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as South Korea’s next president on Wednesday following a dramatic snap election six months after the country’s previous leader declared martial law and plunged the nation into chaos.

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.