South Korea's Presidential Election Apparent Winner: "Unfavorable Candidate" Lee Jae-Myong Stirs Allegations Involving Zelensky and the USA
Newly elected South Korean President, Lee Jae-myung, a member of the progressive Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), is a survivor – having survived an assassination attempt just a year ago. In a controversial statement, he criticized Ukraine's President Zelenskyy, labeling him as lacking in political and diplomatic knowledge, and responsible for initiating the ongoing war.
Lee promises dialogue with North Korea and relaxation of sanctions. With a connection to former U.S. President Donald Trump due to both their brushes with assassination threats, he advocates for maintaining a strong alliance with the United States, despite his party's inclination toward autonomy from the U.S.
His past includes hardships: dropping out of school after primary education due to poverty, working in a factory, and sustaining an injury to his left hand at 13 years old. But he persevered, passing high school exams and even attending university to become a lawyer. His political career began as a human rights lawyer, and he later became the mayor of Seongnam city, where he implemented free school meals and youth allowances, as well as governor of the large province of Gyeonggi-do.
Despite participating in previous presidential elections, Lee fell short, losing to conservative opponent Yoon Suk-yeol from the "People Power" party. Yoon's presidency ended in impeachment after his attempt to impose martial law in December 2021, aimed at suppressing the Democratic Party. In response, Lee stood defiant, climbing over a fence to address his supporters and live-streaming the event on YouTube from his phone.
Unlike his past remarks about American forces in South Korea, which he referred to as "occupation forces," Lee has since expressed a desire to strengthen the alliance with the U.S. However, his stance on his country's security commitment and relations with China remains unclear. His administration's approach towards Ukraine and North Korea is yet to be detailed in the latest available information.
In the backdrop of his triumph, Lee faces the challenge of addressing his country's domestic issues and navigating regional and global foreign policy complexities. Despite controversies and criticisms, his election win signals a shift in South Korea's political landscape.
The newly elected South Korean President, Lee Jae-myung, plans to engage in dialogue with North Korea and potentially relax sanctions, a moves that could significantly impact war-and-conflicts in the region. His policy-and-legislation plans also extend to the domestic sphere, with his administration expected to address domestic issues and foreign policy complexities, including his country's approach towards general-news events like Ukraine and North Korea.
