From Factory Worker To President: All You Need To Know About South Korea's Lee Jae-myung
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South Korea Elections: Lee Jae-myung's election comes just six months after he defied military cordons to cast a symbolic vote against a sudden martial law decree.
Lee Jae-myung, a former factory worker turned human rights lawyer and liberal stalwart, has been elected president of South Korea. His journey from childhood poverty to the nation's highest office caps a turbulent political era marked by martial law, impeachment and mass protest. Lee Jae-myung's election comes just six months after he defied military cordons to cast a symbolic vote against a sudden martial law decree which galvanized the liberal opposition ultimately leading to the impeachment of conservative Yoon Suk Yeol.
Lee Jae-myung's Early Beginnings
Born in 1963 in the rural city of Andong, Lee Jae-myung grew up in extreme poverty. He began working in factories at a young age, where he sustained injuries that left him partially disabled. Despite these hardships, he passed equivalency exams and went on to study law at Chung-Ang University, graduating in 1986. Lee Jae-myung built his legal career advocating for human rights and labor protections. He was active in Minbyun, a progressive lawyers' association and became known for championing the rights of marginalized citizens.
Lee Jae-myung's Political Rise And Reform Agenda
Lee Jae-myung entered politics in the early 2000s and rose through the ranks quickly. He served as mayor of Seongnam from 2010 to 2018 and as governor of Gyeonggi Province from 2018 to 2021. During his tenure, Lee Jae-myung implemented aggressive social welfare programs and gained a reputation for his direct communication style and policy pragmatism.
Although he narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election, Lee Jae-myung remained a central figure in the liberal Democratic Party eventually reclaiming the political spotlight in 2024 during the constitutional crisis triggered by martial law.
Lee Jae-myung said, in his victory speech, 'This belongs to the people who stood for democracy. I will be a president who listens, who serves, and who remembers where we came from."
About the Author
Mallika Soni
When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"
Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
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First Published:
June 04, 2025, 00:01 IST
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