Lee Jae-myung, once derailed by legal battles and political controversy, has emerged as the frontrunner in South Korea’s 2025 presidential election. His dramatic political resurgence comes after a failed attempt by former President Yoon Suk Yeol to invoke martial law, plunging the country into a constitutional crisis that fundamentally shifted the nation’s political landscape.
The Outsider’s Path to Power
Born into poverty in a rural village in 1963, Lee Jae-myung’s rags-to-riches story is as compelling as it is controversial. He worked in a factory as a teenager, suffering a disabling injury, before rising to become a human rights lawyer and later mayor of Seongnam, then governor of Gyeonggi Province. His reformist image, marked by bold welfare policies and direct confrontation with central authorities, has drawn both passionate support and fierce opposition.
Despite losing the 2022 presidential election by a narrow margin, Lee remained a powerful figure in the Democratic Party. However, a conviction for making false statements during the 2022 campaign and a string of corruption allegations cast long shadows over his political future.
A Nation in Crisis – And an Opening
The tide turned on 3 December 2024, when then-President Yoon Suk Yeol attempted to declare martial law to crack down on perceived “anti-state forces.” The move backfired spectacularly. Thousands of citizens, spurred by Lee’s live-streamed appeal, flooded the streets in protest. Lee himself scaled fences to help pass the resolution nullifying martial law within the National Assembly.
This bold move revitalized Lee’s public image as a defender of democracy and repositioned him as the central figure in post-crisis South Korean politics. With Yoon impeached and his People Power Party in disarray, Lee seized the opportunity, resigning as party leader in April 2025 to launch his presidential bid.
The Weight of Scandal and Political Survival
Lee’s ascent hasn’t been without risk. He survived a near-fatal stabbing in January 2024, highlighting the country’s intensifying political polarization. He now campaigns behind bulletproof glass and wears a ballistic vest. Meanwhile, unresolved legal challenges continue to loom.
The most pressing involves his conviction under the Public Official Election Act. Although a lower court overturned the verdict, the Supreme Court reinstated it. A final decision is pending, with hearings postponed until after the 3 June election. If convicted while in office, Lee could become president only to face disqualification and removal soon after.
Lee Jae-myung: Symbol of Reform or Flashpoint for Further Turmoil?
For many South Koreans disillusioned by elite corruption and political gridlock, Lee symbolizes resistance and reform. But his combative style and history of scandal also risk deepening the political divide. Analysts note that South Korea’s democracy, though vibrant, is increasingly polarized, and Lee’s presidency may intensify that rift.
What remains clear is that the nation’s political trajectory has been irrevocably altered. From constitutional collapse to the edge of democratic revival, South Korea now stands at a pivotal juncture – with Lee Jae-myung at its center.
