Lee Jae-myung, the reformer and labor activist elected as president of South Korea earlier this week, is almost superhuman in resiliency and tenacity. Born in the mid-60s as the fifth of seven children. His family went through great financial difficulties, growing up in Andong, a riverside city in southeastern province of Gyeongsangbuk-do. His early life was largely marked by struggle. With a father who was a market cleaner and a mother who charged at public bathrooms, Jean learned the value of hard work from his parents’ workers.
Only 14 years old, Lee became a laborer as a miserable, destitute textile worker. During his teenage years, he juggled multiple jobs, working in jewelry factories and refrigerator assembly lines. These experiences shaped his understanding of the struggles faced by ordinary citizens and propelled him toward a career in law and politics.
Lee’s life would take a new turn when he became a human rights lawyer. Now, he’s a powerful voice for social justice and legal reform. He first came to national attention when he won the mayoralty of Seongnam, a city just outside Seoul, in 2010, as the liberal Democratic Party’s (DP) candidate. His unusual leadership style and charisma struck a chord with South Koreans, and in 2018, he was elected governor of the province surrounding Seoul. As PM, he managed the country’s most populous region.
Political Turmoil and Resilience
At no point in Lee Jae-myung’s political career has the journey been so clear cut. In January 2024, he survived an assassination attempt by a right-wing extremist. He was attacked by a man with a knife in the neck while campaigning in public in Busan. This incident revealed not just the volatility of South Korea’s political landscape, but the chasm that divided South Korean society itself.
Beyond personal threats, Lee dealt with legal challenges as he gained traction politically. Now, he’s found himself convicted on two counts of violating federal election law for willfully making false statements. Despite these setbacks, he remained a prominent figure in South Korean politics, narrowly losing the presidential election to Yoon Suk-yeol by less than one percentage point.
Lee’s political narrative is now marred by a number of corruption and abuse of power allegations still making headlines today. He has promised to address them head-on. His immediate aim, after all, is to restore the public’s trust, a commodity that recent disasters have deeply shaken.
“I will rebuild everything that was destroyed by the insurrection and create a society that continues to grow and develop,” – Lee Jae-myung
Vision for Peace and Stability
Should Lee Jae-myung become president, his first priority must be the East Asian geopolitical reality. Among these, he pays particular attention to the dynamics at play with North Korea. He emphasized once again his long-standing interest in reaching a peaceful settlement to the issues on Korea while meeting U.S. security concerns.
“I will respond firmly to North Korea’s nuclear threats while also keeping communication channels open,” – Lee Jae-myung
His approach highlights the importance of a dual strategy of strength and dialogue. Lee is adamant about how coexistence and reconciliation is necessary for the country’s growth. He stated:
“It is time to replace hatred and confrontation with coexistence, reconciliation, and solidarity – to open an era of national happiness, of dreams and hope,” – Lee Jae-myung
Such a vision is appealing to many South Koreans who want more stability in the face of growing regional tensions. His consistent emphasis on rebuilding trust and fostering unity speaks to a deeper need for healing in our divided society.
Economic Recovery and Public Trust
In addition to calming security fears, Lee Jae-myung has the ambitious challenge of jumpstart South Korea’s economy. The nation faces a major economic crisis made worse by the last few years of political chaos. His administration can start to restore that public confidence by putting an immediate focus on the economic fixes.
“I will immediately activate an emergency economic response task force team to restore people’s livelihood and revive the economy,” – Lee Jae-myung
Rebuilding public trust is paramount for Lee. He later recognized the need for accountability and the need for punishment of the perpetrators of previous wrongdoings during the crisis of martial law. His vision is for a government that places a premium on transparency and engaging with citizens.
“An insurrection that uses the military’s power, to seize the people’s sovereignty, must never happen again,” – Lee Jae-myung
Lee’s drive to reform the functioning of government itself showcases his recognition of the need for wholesale governmental change in South Korea. And it’s only through deep bipartisanship that he understands this country is going to be able to move forward.
