SEOUL, South Korea — As South Korea’s political landscape undergoes a dramatic shift, Lee Jae-myung’s rise from a troubled childhood to the presidency marks a new chapter for the nation. Despite facing legal challenges and personal hardships, Lee, 60, has emerged victorious as the candidate for the liberal Democratic Party, succeeding conservative rival Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon was ousted following the controversial imposition of martial law, leading to Lee’s election as South Korea’s new leader.
Lee’s leadership is met with mixed reactions; supporters are hopeful that his presidency will tackle the country’s systemic economic inequalities and ingrained corruption, whereas critics fear that he may suppress political dissent, exacerbating existing domestic tensions. Lee’s presidency, limited to a single term of five years, commenced on Wednesday.
Lee, who grew up in dire poverty, faced early life challenges that could have derailed his aspirations. After completing elementary school, financial constraints forced him to work in various factories near Seoul, including a baseball glove factory where a press machine left him with a permanent arm disability. Overwhelmed by his circumstances, he attempted suicide twice but found resilience to continue his education with a full scholarship at Chung-Ang University, ultimately becoming a human rights lawyer. In his 2017 memoir, he remarked on the dual roles of hope and hardship in his life’s journey as tests of human resolve.
Entering the political arena, Lee served as mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi province. Initially dismissed as an outsider, he gained national recognition during a series of impassioned speeches in 2016 against then-President Park Geun-hye amid her corruption scandal. Lee’s rhetoric, railing against South Korea’s conservative elite and critiquing alliances such as the U.S.-South Korea missile defense system, often drew controversial comparisons and polarized public opinion. His advocacy for universal basic income further sparked claims of populism.
Though narrowly defeated by Yoon in the 2022 presidential race, Lee’s tenacity remained unshaken despite a violent attack by an assailant intent on preventing his presidency. In his current leadership role, Lee has committed to pragmatic diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of South Korea’s alliance with the U.S. as key to national security, while also championing the trilateral security partnership with Washington and Tokyo. Despite his past contentious statements, some argue these may have been tactical rather than reflective of his core beliefs.
With immediate foreign policy hurdles ahead, notably U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade strategies and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, experts suggest that significant diplomatic shifts may be challenging under Lee’s administration. Analysts indicate that Trump’s prevailing influence limits South Korea’s diplomatic leverage, while acknowledging the improbability of North Korea relinquishing its nuclear program voluntarily.
Lee’s inauguration comes amidst unresolved legal battles, including accusations of corruption where multiple trials remain pending. A particular legal victory was short-lived when the Seoul High Court’s decision to overturn his election law violation was revoked by the Supreme Court, furthering legal uncertainties. Although South Korea’s constitution shields a sitting president from most criminal charges, contentious debates persist regarding implications for pre-office indictments. The Democratic Party’s initiative to suspend such trials for seated presidents has provoked criticism from conservative quarters.
Throughout his campaign, Lee vowed to refrain from political retribution against conservatives, yet he also advocated for investigations into Yoon’s alleged insurrections. Opponents express concerns over potential misuse of power in pursuing adversaries, given Yoon’s declaration of martial law framed opposition forces as subversive entities. The controversy has fueled a deepened political divide, with public demonstrations intensifying.
Amidst a politically charged environment, Lee commands a liberal parliamentary majority favorable to advancing Democratic Party initiatives. This strategic advantage could enable legislative action previously stymied under Yoon’s administration, focusing on reforms such as labor union protections and agricultural price stabilization. As South Korea navigates this transformative period, Lee’s leadership will be closely watched for its impact on national unity and policy direction.