From Rags to Riches: Lee Jae-Myung, South Korea's New President
- by Jane Doe
- 4 Min
- South Korea
- Lee Jae-Myung
- Kim Jong-un
- North Korea
- Military coup
- Corruption
- Presidency
- Russia
South Korea's Presidential Election: Lee Jee-myung potentially assumes presidency today - South Korea's Presidential Election: Possible Victory for Lee Jee-myung Today
In a turn of events you'd hardly expect from the life he once knew, Lee Jae-Myung, a man who once despised his existence, is now poised to take the highest seat in South Korea. His journey from the brink of despair to the presidential palace is nothing short of astonishing.
Lee, South Korea's newly elected president, owes his success to sheer willpower and resilience. Securing high school entrance exams in 1978 and a full scholarship to study law at Chungang University in 1986, he then passed the National Bar exam and worked as a human rights lawyer.[3] His political career took off in 2005 with the Urri party, a political dynasty that would later evolve into the Democratic Party.[3] Lee made his mark on the political landscape as mayor of Seongnam in 2010, serving a second term in office in 2014.[3]
As governor of Gyeonggi province, Lee introduced welfare programs and challenged the central government during the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for universal relief payments. His policies resonated with working-class voters but drew criticism from conservatives.[3] Lee's previous bid for presidency in 2022 focused on universal basic income and stronger welfare systems, though he narrowly lost the election.[3]
Of course, Lee's road to the presidency was not without its bumps. Navigating the Democratic Party's progressive wing and facing controversies over his stance on sensitive issues such as US troop deployment in South Korea and THAAD missile defense system were but a few of the hurdles he had to overcome.[1][2] During his past presidential campaign, Lee's views on LGBTQ rights came under scrutiny as he opposed the repeal of the 'sodomy law' in the military and was cautious about supporting anti-discrimination laws for the LGBTQ community.[2]
The South Korean political climate is currently polarized, with Lee facing significant challenges including domestic political divisions, escalating threats from North Korea and China, and evolving dynamics in Seoul's alliance with Washington.[1] His presidency is expected to focus on social welfare reforms, economic policies, and addressing historical injustices, which may face legal challenges and political polarization.[3]
Interestingly, Lee's inauguration speech hinted at a commitment to sustaining relations with the US and Japan, contrasting with his past controversial statements about moving closer to Beijing and criticizing US military presence.[1] This ambiguity in stance could have a profound impact on South Korea's foreign policy and regional alliances. The high turnout in the recent election reflects the importance of these issues to the South Korean public.[1]
In the whirlwind of South Korean politics, Lee Jae-Myung's presidency is poised to address a complex web of challenges, including the formulation of community policies to bridge domestic political divisions and address historical injustices, as well as employment policies that cater to the needs of the working class. Amidst these policy-and-legislation endeavors, the new president will also need to navigate the intricacies of military-related issues, such as the stance on US troop deployment and THAAD missile defense system, drawing from his political experience and willpower, honed during his struggle against such controversies in the past. The political landscape is further tempered by war-and-conflicts, including the escalating threats from North Korea and China, and diplomatic dynamics in Seoul's alliance with Washington and its relationship with major players like Russia. This evolving political climate within the context of general-news events could potentially have a significant impact on South Korea's policy- and legislation-related decisions, as well as foreign relations.
