中新人物｜从“草根”到总统，李在明的“逆袭人生”

Core Points - Lee Jae-myung won the presidential election in South Korea, marking a significant comeback after a narrow defeat in the previous election [1] - His life story reflects a journey from poverty and hardship to political success, embodying the idea of a "dragon flying out of a stream" in Korean culture [1][2] Background - Lee Jae-myung was born in 1963 to a poor farming family in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and faced significant challenges from an early age, including a lack of formal education [2][4] - His father, who had a varied career, struggled with gambling and debt, leading to the family's financial decline [4] Early Life and Career - At the age of 14, Lee began working in a factory, where he suffered a serious injury that left him with a disability [5][6][7] - Despite these challenges, he developed a dream of obtaining a high school education and later pursued higher education, eventually attending Chungang University Law School on a full scholarship [11] Legal Career - After passing the rigorous bar exam, Lee became a prominent human rights lawyer, focusing on labor rights, which stemmed from his own experiences as a child laborer [13] Political Journey - Lee gained public recognition as the mayor of Seongnam, where he implemented various welfare policies and became known for his direct communication style [16][19] - He was elected as the governor of Gyeonggi Province in 2018 and continued to build his political profile [19] Presidential Election - In the 2022 presidential election, Lee narrowly lost but quickly rebounded by becoming a member of the National Assembly and later the leader of the Democratic Party [20] - His political style is characterized by a strong stance against established interests and a focus on practical diplomacy [21][26] Foreign Policy Approach - Lee emphasizes a pragmatic approach to foreign relations, advocating for balanced diplomacy between the U.S., China, and North Korea [23][25] - He has criticized the previous administration's foreign policy and aims to restore communication channels with North Korea [25]