Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung elected South Korean President as conservative Kim Moon-soo concedes

With the voter percentage nearing 80 per cent, the highest it has been in 28 years, South Koreans chose their next president after six months of political turmoil triggered by the country's shortest period of martial law.

Addressing supporters in Seoul, Lee thanked the people for their support and vowed to work towards the unification of the country through dialogue with North Korea. He also vowed to ensure another military coup or repeat of the martial law crisis does not take place.

With 93 percent of the votes in, Democratic Party Lee Jae-Myung is set to be president with 48.67 percent of the vote. He will be sworn in as the next president on Wednesday and begin his term immediately.