2025 South Korea presidential election main points: Lee Jae-myung wins
Lee Jae-myung, who once served as Gyeonggi Governor and party leader, has now triumphed in the 2025 presidential race. Below are the backstories, controversies, and policy highlights that shaped his journey—straight from the scalding debates around universal basic income to his near brushes with legal and political calamity.
Core Trajectory: From Factory Floors to the Presidency
Lee Jae-myung’s climb from a blue-collar upbringing—complete with workplace injuries—to South Korea’s highest office is often cited by supporters as proof of his “Eokgang Buyak” creed.
His early hardships shaped a political style focused on defending the underprivileged. Many see parallels with FDR’s New Deal activism.
Yet online debates and offline stump speeches alike echo lingering controversies around his temperament, from dogged populist pushes to abrupt policy flips that sometimes alarm critics.
In 2024, he famously livestreamed himself climbing the National Assembly fence during the martial law crisis. That livestream, watched by tens of thousands in real time, transformed him into a symbol of unflinching resistance. Shortly thereafter, he helped impeach then-President Yoon Suk Yeol, paving the way for the early 2025 election.
Amid fierce legal battles, including allegations of “false statements” in prior campaigns, Lee’s eventual acquittals and delayed retrials cleared him just enough runway to launch his latest campaign. His ultimate success at the polls—50.1% against main conservative rival Kim Moon-soo’s 32.3%—underscores both voter fatigue with the previous administration and Lee’s appeal to younger, reform-minded constituencies.
FAQ and Further Clarifications
He combined bold welfare policies, such as universal basic income trials, with aggressive social media rhetoric, earning him both devoted “superfans” and fierce critics.
Multiple criminal probes into corruption or false-statement charges hovered over him since his mayoral years. Court delays effectively meant no final verdict before the election—thus avoiding disqualification.
He’s been labeled “left-wing populist,” but lately signaled openness to pro-business measures, shaping an eclectic platform that merges basic welfare expansions with pragmatic trade and pro-market overtures.
By climbing the National Assembly fence and broadcasting it, he molded himself into the face of resistance, calling the public to gather and preserve democracy—crucial for building momentum to impeach President Yoon.
Yes. His Democratic Party holds a commanding lead in the National Assembly. Critics warn of potential overreach or rubber-stamping, but supporters argue such alignment allows for swift reforms.
He’s suggested “universal” measures: youth basic loans, job training, rental housing expansions, and possibly a broad-based basic income. Yet these remain contentious over affordability.
| Issue | Lee’s Position | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 Relief | Aggressive cash payouts | Praised by supporters, criticized as populism by opponents |
| Local Currency | Wider rollout for regional stimulus | Opinions split on effectiveness vs. bureaucratic cost |
| Basic Income | Partial youth-focused pilot | Remains “under review” after pushback |
Political observers compare Lee’s resilience to a quote from Winston Churchill: “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” After surviving legal battles, assassination attempts, and a deeply polarizing environment, his presidency brings high expectations—and equally high tensions.
Conclusion
Lee Jae-myung embodies a paradox. Some hail him as a champion of straightforward, results-driven governance. Others condemn his tactics as dangerously populist. The next few months—and years—will show whether he can temper controversies with workable reforms, or if his rule unleashes new cycles of political strife. For now, South Korea faces a leader whose career was forged on adversity, armed with populist convictions, and backed by a massive legislative majority eager to see him succeed.
Tags: politics, presidency, economic reform, martial law crisis, universal basic income, progressive leadership, populism, real estate policy, National Assembly, impeachment