Lee Jae-myung, who has recently been chosen as the president of South Korea, embodies the rags-to-riches narrative that mirrors his nation’s remarkable journey from economic hardship to success.
Lee, who came into the world in 1963, faced significant challenges during his formative years. Back then, South Korea’s GDP per capita was comparable to those of numerous Sub-Saharan African nations. Due to the elevated infant mortality rates at the time, it wasn’t uncommon for births like Lee’s not to be officially registered immediately; indeed, his own registration took place roughly a year after he was born.
Lee was the fifth among seven siblings. In his teenage years, he left school and relocated to Seongnam to find employment in factories, aiding his family financially. When he was 15, Lee sustained a serious injury at a baseball glove factory, resulting in permanent damage to his left arm.
In spite of these challenges, Lee continued studying independently and ultimately succeeded in passing his middle and high school examinations. He gained admission to Chung-Ang University in 1982 where he pursued studies in law, completing them with enough success to pass the bar exam in 1986.
As an attorney, Lee earned recognition for representing those with fewer advantages, such as individuals affected by workplace incidents and folks forced from their homes due to urban renewal projects.
In 2006, he ventured into politics but suffered defeats in his initial two campaigns. However, in 2010, he won the election for mayor of Seongnam and secured another term in 2014. Between 2018 and 2021, he held the position of governor of Gyeonggi Province.
Lee gained recognition due to his inclusive political approach, including the launch of a trialuniversal basic income scheme. Although he contested the presidency in 2022 against Yoon Suk-yeol, he fell short by just 0.73 percentage points—a margin so slim that it set a record in South Korean electoral history.
Even though he encountered numerous scandals and legal disputes, Lee guided the Democratic Party to a robust showing in last year’s parliamentary elections. Subsequently, he garnered almost 90% of the votes, ensuring his candidacy for the presidency under their banner in 2025.
In December 2024, Yoon was impeached after announcing martial law, which paved the way for Lee’s decisive win in the June 3, 2025, election.
Lee’s approach to leadership is straightforward and appeals directly to the people. His admirers appreciate his genuine nature, whereas his detractors view him as argumentative. According to political analysts, he can be characterized as a “pragmatic progressive”—open to adaptation yet steadfastly outcome-oriented.
As president, Lee has pledged to rejuvenate the economy. Major plans encompass increasing investments in artificial intelligence, implementing a 4.5-day workweek, and providing tax incentives to families according to the size of their households.
On foreign policy, he aims to improve relations with North Korea while supporting denuclearization. He also plans to maintain South Korea’s alliance with the U.S. without alienating China or Russia.
Lee takes office in a deeply polarized political climate and a complex global environment shaped by conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine and shifting U.S. trade policies under Donald Trump.
Notably, Lee had been facing five legal cases prior to the election. However, South Korean law grants presidents immunity from prosecution during their term—except in cases of insurrection or treason.
In order to eliminate legal ambiguity, the Democratic Party has enacted a new legislation halting all criminal prosecutions of freshly elected presidents until their presidential tenure concludes.
Lee’s victory represents a tale of perseverance—emerging from childhood labor and adversity to assume the top political position in the land. His challenge now lies in steering a polarized nation through international challenges while fulfilling his commitments.
(Aljazeera)
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