How Lee Jae-myung won
Lee Jae-myung's presidential victory did not defy any expections, even those of conservatives.
Following is a breakdown of factors that contributed to Lee's sweeping victory.
Yoon Suk Yeol
The number one factor that contributed to Lee's victory is no doubt former President Yoon Suk Yeol, and his attempt to impose an abrupt martial law on Dec. 3, 2024.
Yoon's martial law debacle got him impeached, and ultimately led to the election.
Had it not been for Yoon, Lee most likely would have had to stand several criminal trials as scheduled.
Polls have consistently found that the majority of South Koreans disapprove of Yoon's martial law attempt and back his impeachment.
Ending Yoon's "insurrection" was Lee's campaign theme. Lee characterized his People Power Party rival Kim Moon-soo, who was Yoon's labor minister, as an "insurrection sympathizer."
Solid grip on party
Since his defeat to Yoon in 2022, Lee has been tightening his grip on the Democratic Party.
During the 2024 general election, many figures less closely aligned with Lee were sidelined during the nomination process.
Only those who "passed the loyalty test" for Lee was handed the nomination by the party leadership, as one Democratic Party lawmaker recounted.
His hold on the Democratic Party was on vivid display at the party convention last year when lawmakers running to be on the leadership campaigned on how close they are to Lee.
Unlike the Democratic Party, which had been rallying around Lee for the past three years, the People Power Party scrambled to come up with a candidate.
The transition to a presidential campaign was smooth for the Democratic Party, which had already been operating under Lee's leadership.
When Kim won the People Power Party's prolonged primary, Lee had already been campaigning around the country for two weeks.
Kim had just three weeks since being nominated to pull together a campaign and hit the road.
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9 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Probe bills into Yoon, wife pass National Assembly
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Korea Herald
10 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Did DCC Commander 'blacklist' generals? State investigation conducted
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12 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Unlisted sealed records of ex-President Yoon spark dispute
After President Lee Jae-myung criticized his predecessor for a lack of transition instructions for the incoming administration, it was revealed Thursday that 218,000 records from Yoon Suk Yeol's presidency have been sealed for 15 years without an inventory list. According to the Presidential Archives under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, this accounts for 1.6 percent of the Yoon administration's state-designated records. Such protected records cannot be accessed for up to 15 years due to a potential threat to national security or economic stability. Sealing the presidential records is justified under the Act on Management of Presidential Archives, but the lack of listing has been subject to criticism. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea on Thursday accused Yoon of failing to carry out a proper transition to his successor. The sealed presidential records could be revealed under consent from two-thirds of the National Assembly, or with a warrant issued by the head of a high court. But without a list, it would be difficult to pinpoint which records should be revealed. Not having the list of sealed records could hinder the ongoing investigations and trials connected with Yoon. The former president, then-Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and other high-ranking military and police officials are on trial for their part in the alleged insurrection and abuse of power related to the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, which led to Yoon's impeachment and eventual expulsion in April. Another potential issue is the probe related to the military's 2023 investigation into the death of a Marine, which Yoon has been accused of interfering with. Revealing the list of presidential state-designated records is a legally grey issue as it is not specified in the law. But Article 8 of the Official Information Disclosure Act says public institutions shall prepare and keep a list of information they possess and manage.
