Core Viewpoint - Lee Jae-myung, the candidate from the Democratic Party, has been elected as the 21st President of South Korea, marking a significant milestone in his political career characterized by resilience and challenges [1] Background and Early Life - Lee Jae-myung was born on December 22, 1964, in a poor family in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, as the fifth of seven siblings. He dropped out of school due to financial difficulties and began working in factories at the age of 13, suffering multiple injuries that left him with a lifelong disability [2] - Despite his hardships, he self-studied and graduated with a law degree from Chung-Ang University, passing the bar exam in 1986, which led to his career as a labor rights lawyer and social activist [2] Political Career - Lee began his political journey by advocating for the rights of marginalized groups and became a symbol of social justice. He was first elected as the mayor of Seongnam in 2010 and implemented innovative social welfare policies, successfully reversing the city's financial crisis [3] - He was elected as the governor of Gyeonggi Province in 2018 and later became a prominent advocate for broader social policies after entering the National Assembly in 2022 [3] Political Ideology and Support - Lee is known as the "Labor President," with his governance philosophy rooted in his experiences from the lower social strata, emphasizing fairness, justice, and an inclusive society. His commitment to the belief that "no one should be left behind" has garnered significant support from youth and progressive voters [5] Political Rivalry and Challenges - In the 2022 presidential election, Lee narrowly lost to Yoon Suk-yeol by just 0.73 percentage points. However, he was elected to the National Assembly later that year and became the leader of the Democratic Party with a high approval rating [7] - Lee's political rivalry with Yoon escalated, leading to significant events such as the "123 Martial Law Incident," where he actively opposed Yoon's government actions and called for public mobilization through social media [8][9] Legal and Economic Challenges - Despite his political achievements, Lee faces serious legal challenges, with multiple corruption and abuse of power allegations since 2018. Analysts suggest these charges may be politically motivated, reflecting the intense struggles within South Korea's political landscape [9] - As president, Lee is confronted with economic challenges, including a projected GDP growth of only 0.8% for 2024 and high youth unemployment rates. He has proposed policies such as "basic income for youth," support for entrepreneurship, and increased public housing supply to address these issues [10] Foreign Relations Strategy - Lee emphasizes a "national interest first" approach in foreign policy, aiming to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance and improve relations with Japan while maintaining a focus on regional stability. He also seeks to enhance ties with China and Russia and expand strategic cooperation with global southern countries and ASEAN [11]