Lee Jae-myung, factory worker-turned-reformer, to lead Korea

Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) greet citizens after delivering his final campaign speech at Yeouido Park in Seoul, Monday, a day before the election. Yonhap

Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), who won Tuesday’s presidential election, capped what has been one of the nation’s most compelling political ascents.

Lee's journey from a teenage factory worker who overcame hardship and physical injury to become a prominent human rights lawyer and political leader has become central to his story, positioning him as a symbol of resilience and inspiration for many.

This undated photo shows Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) during his teenage years working at a clock factory in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to support his family after leaving elementary school. Courtesy of DPK

From humble beginnings to legal advocate

Born in 1964 in a remote village in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, Lee grew up in extreme poverty. After completing elementary school, financial hardship forced him to work as a teenage factory laborer in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, earning just 200 won (about $0.15) a day at a clock factory. A workplace accident left him with a permanent disability in his left arm, but Lee refused to let hardship define his future.

Determined to change his circumstances, Lee passed the high school qualification exam and earned a scholarship to Chung-Ang University’s law school. During his university years, the 1980 Gwangju Uprising inspired him to dedicate his career to social justice and advocacy for the underprivileged.

This photo shows Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) attending a forum as a human rights lawyer in the 1990s. Courtesy of DPK

After passing the bar, Lee began his career as a human rights lawyer in Seongnam, where he quickly gained a reputation for challenging local corruption and championing public causes, including the establishment of a public hospital. His activism and commitment to public service led him into politics, motivated by the belief that meaningful change required political power.

In 2010, Lee was elected mayor of Seongnam, where his bold welfare initiatives — including free school uniforms, youth dividends, annual payments of 1 million won to young people aged 19 to 24 and public postpartum care — brought him national attention. His direct and sometimes combative style made him a polarizing figure, but it also earned him popularity among citizens.

Lee Jae-myung, front center, then Seongnam mayor, chants slogans with citizens at a rally near Yatap Station in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, calling for the resignation of President Park Geun-hye, in this Nov. 15, 2016 file photo. Newsis

Lee’s reputation as a reformer solidified during the 2016-17 political crisis, when he was among the first to call for the impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye, who was impeached over a corruption scandal. In 2018, he was elected Gyeonggi Provincial Governor, the most populous region in Korea. There, he introduced the country’s first universal COVID-19 relief payments and pursued aggressive policies on illegal construction and expanded social welfare.

Lee Jae-myung, left, then-Seongnam mayor, poses with his mother Koo Ho-myung, center, and wife Kim Hye-kyung, at a clock factory in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, where he worked as a teenage laborer, while announcing his first presidential bid on Jan. 23, 2017. Yonhap

Pursuing the presidency

Lee first ran for president in 2017, finishing third in the DPK primary. In 2022, he narrowly lost the presidential race to Yoon Suk Yeol by the slimmest margin in South Korean history. Refusing to step back, Lee quickly returned to the political forefront, winning a parliamentary seat in Incheon and later securing leadership of the DPK with overwhelming support. Under Lee's stewardship, the party consolidated its position as the dominant force in the National Assembly.

The current snap election, triggered by the impeachment of Yoon, positioned Lee as the clear frontrunner. Polls consistently showed him leading by wide margins over his conservative rivals — Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party and Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party.

Lee’s political career has not been without controversy. He has faced ongoing legal scrutiny, including investigations into real estate scandals.

In Busan in 2024, he survived a near-fatal stabbing.

Despite these challenges, Lee has maintained strong public support, particularly among younger and working-class voters who identify with his background and reformist agenda. His rise resonates with ordinary Koreans who see him as a symbol of resilience and hope.