Presidential officials raised a blue flag bearing two phoenixes and a rose of Sharon, the symbol of the South Korean presidency, at the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday, ending a two-month absence. This means one thing: the country has an elected leader again.

Lee Jae-myung began his five-year term Wednesday morning following a special election held the previous day.

The election was triggered by the ouster of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office after a failed attempt to impose martial law in December.

Three presidential officials raise a flag bearing the symbol of the South Korean presidency at the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. (Yonhap)
Three presidential officials raise a flag bearing the symbol of the South Korean presidency at the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. (Yonhap)
Three presidential officials raise a flag bearing the symbol of the South Korean presidency on the leftmost flagpole at the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. (Yonhap)
Three presidential officials raise a flag bearing the symbol of the South Korean presidency on the leftmost flagpole at the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. (Yonhap)

A flag bearing the symbol of the South Korean presidency (left) is hoisted next to two national flags of Korea at the presidential office building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. (Yonhap)
A flag bearing the symbol of the South Korean presidency (left) is hoisted next to two national flags of Korea at the presidential office building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. (Yonhap)

ssh@heraldcorp.com