Lee Jae-myung Nominated as Democratic Party’s Candidate for South Korea’s Snap Presidential Election

World

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of South Korea's opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), has officially been named the party's candidate for the upcoming snap presidential election scheduled for June 3, 2025. Lee, a progressive political figure and former leader of the DPK, secured the nomination with nearly 90 percent of the vote in a party primary, surpassing two other contenders.

In his acceptance speech, Lee expressed that his candidacy represents not only the Democratic Party but also the broader hopes of the people who seek an end to the current political instability, the resolution of national crises, and the pursuit of unity and happiness for all South Koreans.

“I am not only the candidate of the Democratic Party, but of all people who yearn for the end of insurrection, the overcoming of crisis, and the pursuit of unity and happiness,” Lee stated. His remarks come as the country faces considerable political and economic turmoil, with the recent ousting of President Yoon Suk-yeol following the attempted imposition of martial law late last year.

Lee, who has been at the forefront of South Korea's political opposition, played a significant role in the impeachment process that led to Yoon's removal from office. Lee had previously described Yoon's attempt to impose martial law as a dangerous move reminiscent of past authoritarian regimes.

This marks Lee's third bid for the presidency. He narrowly lost to President Yoon in the 2022 election, with the closest margin in South Korea’s democratic history. Lee’s earlier attempts in 2017 ended in a third-place finish in the DPK’s primary.

Now, Lee is the clear frontrunner in the race to succeed President Yoon, who was removed from office following a ruling by South Korea’s Constitutional Court. Lee has maintained a consistent double-digit lead in opinion polls over the potential candidates from the conservative People Power Party (PPP), which is expected to announce its candidate on May 3.

In his speech, Lee emphasized his vision for a more robust South Korea, promising to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities and position it as a global leader in high-tech industries, culture, and democracy. Known for his anti-establishment and pro-equality stance, Lee has built a reputation for fighting corruption and championing economic equality.

Lee, 60, has served as the governor of Gyeonggi Province, South Korea’s most populous region, and as mayor of Seongnam city. However, his political career has been marred by legal challenges, with Lee currently facing multiple trials on charges related to bribery and a $1 billion property development scandal. If Lee wins the presidency, his legal proceedings are likely to be suspended due to presidential immunity.

Lee’s rise comes amid ongoing struggles within the PPP, which has yet to recover from the public outrage over Yoon’s martial law attempt. Lee’s key role in blocking the decree—by physically scaling the walls of the National Assembly as troops surrounded the building—made headlines and cemented his image as a defender of democracy and constitutional integrity.

With Lee’s candidacy now confirmed, South Koreans will head to the polls in June for a critical election that promises to shape the country’s political future.