Introduction: Who Is Lee Jae-myung?
Lee Jae-myung, South Korea’s 21st president, is a self-made politician whose rise from poverty to power symbolizes resilience and reform. Now, he faces one of his toughest challenges yet—bringing unity to a politically divided nation.
Humble Beginnings & Self-Made Drive
Born into poverty in Andong in 1963, Lee grew up in a family of six siblings struggling with extreme financial hardship. At just 12 years old, after moving to Seongnam, he worked in factories under false names, earning only about 200 won per day. A serious accident at a glove factory left his left arm permanently disabled.
Despite these challenges, Lee passed middle and high school equivalency exams, earned a full scholarship to Chung-Ang University, studied law, and passed the bar exam in 1986. His journey from factory worker to respected lawyer earned him recognition as a true self-made figure.
Lawyer, Activist, and Rising Politician
As a human rights and labor lawyer in Seongnam, Lee fought for workers’ rights and public welfare, including a campaign to establish a public hospital. His passion for civic reform eventually pushed him into politics, and he joined the Uri Party in 2005.
Mayor of Seongnam: Bold Local Reforms
From 2010 to 2018, Lee served as the mayor of Seongnam, introducing progressive welfare policies such as youth dividends, free school uniforms, and postpartum care services. He also reduced unnecessary government spending and converted unused city spaces into community facilities. His campaign to ban dog meat at Moran Market sparked national debate and earned him a reputation as a bold reformer.
Governor & National Leadership
Elected governor of Gyeonggi Province in 2018, Lee was praised for his proactive COVID-19 response, including universal relief payments. Although he narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon Suk Yeol, he became the Democratic Party leader and returned to the National Assembly as a key opposition figure.
Assassination Attempt & Political Polarization
In January 2024, Lee survived an assassination attempt during a public event, suffering a neck injury that required surgery. The attack highlighted the deep political polarization gripping South Korea. Supporters hail Lee as a reformer fighting for ordinary citizens, while critics accuse him of being a populist and divisive figure.
This political divide remains one of Lee’s greatest challenges, as public trust in government institutions has fallen to historic lows.
Defender of Democracy: Thwarting Martial Law
Lee Jae-myung led the party to a landslide victory in the 2024 General Election against President Yoon Suk Yeol’s People Power Party. In late 2024, Yoon Suk Yeol attempted to impose martial law, triggering nationwide protests calling for his impeachment and removal. Lee led Democratic Party lawmakers in scaling the National Assembly fence to override the decree, playing a decisive role in Yoon’s impeachment and eventual ouster from office. His bold actions strengthened his image as a defender of democracy.
Ascent to the Presidency & Task of Uniting a Divided Nation
Lee won the June 3, 2025 snap election with 49.4% of the vote, pledging political stability, economic fairness, and a strong defense of democratic values. Now, as president, he faces the monumental task of healing a deeply polarized society and building consensus across ideological lines.
His presidency is seen not only as a personal triumph but also as a crucial test for South Korea’s democracy, which has endured political scandals, protests, and social unrest in recent years.
Photographs of Lee Jae-myung
I made Lee Jae-myung’s portraits for The Washington Post in February during an exclusive interview. He was still the leader of the Democratic Party and had yet to announce his presidential bid. Please contact me if you want to license my photographs.
(Header photo caption: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – 13 Feb 2025: A portrait of Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the South Korean main opposition Democratic Party and the country’s likely next president at Sarangjae, a traditional Korean building at the National Assembly.)