South Korea's 21st President Lee Jae-myung - Comprehensive Summary of Political Career

Entry into Politics and Initial Activities - Beyond the Limits of Social Movements

The political entry of Lee Jae-myung was not just a personal choice but a response to the contradictions of the era and the social reality. As a human rights lawyer active in Seongnam, he witnessed citizens whose lives were threatened due to gaps in medical services, which made him keenly aware of the need for public healthcare. The closure of two private hospitals became a decisive turning point in his life, prompting him to pursue the establishment of a municipal hospital in collaboration with citizens to address this issue. However, when the resident-initiated ordinance was rejected by the local council, he keenly felt the limitation that 'movement alone cannot change the structure.' Thus, he joined the Open Uri Party in 2005, knocking on the door of institutional politics. From this point on, Lee Jae-myung's political journey began to grow with the principles of citizen-centeredness, protection of the vulnerable, and strengthening of public interest. He was not a national politician from the beginning he was a local lawyer on the fringes, gradually advancing as a local politician in Seongnam City. However, through thorough 'practical administration,' he gained national attention faster than anyone else.

During the time as the mayor of Seongnam and the governor of Gyeonggi Province — Politics of experimentation and innovation

When I was first elected as the Mayor of Seongnam in 2010, the city was essentially in a state of financial ruin. However, Mayor Lee Jae-myung immediately implemented a rigorous fiscal reform upon taking office, reducing waste and increasing efficiency. As a result, he gained national attention with his 'reverse-thinking administration' by restoring financial soundness while expanding welfare policies. Notable policies include ▲ free school uniforms for middle school students ▲ youth allowance (concept of basic income for young people) ▲ maternal healthcare support ▲ construction of the Seongnam City Medical Center. All these policies developed into models that demonstrated empirical effects rather than mere handouts. He delivered on 270 out of 287 campaign pledges, achieving a fulfillment rate of 94.1%, which symbolizes his political philosophy of 'action over words.' As the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Representative Lee Jae-myung also aimed to bring substantial changes to the lives of local residents.

Challenging for the presidency and strengthening the status within the party - from the fringe to the center

The rise of Lee Jae-myung in the central political arena began with his hunger strike in 2016. He garnered nationwide attention by engaging in a hunger strike for an astonishing 11 days, believing that the Park Geun-hye administration's local finance reform plan could undermine the foundation of local autonomy. Following that, he entered the presidential primary in 2017, breaking the expectations of the established political sphere by receiving 21.2% support, standing alongside Moon Jae-in and Ahn Hee-jung. This ‘Lee Jae-myung whirlwind’ was not just a fleeting phenomenon. He solidified his position with his election as governor of Gyeonggi Province in 2018, and in 2021, he was selected as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, advancing to the final round. Although he was classified as an ‘outsider’ within the long-standing tradition of the Democratic Party, he has emerged as a rare figure who rose to become a central force through ability and achievements.

Political Conflicts and Trials in the Presidential Election Process - Progress Amidst Turmoil

The 2022 presidential election was one of the most intense and exhausting elections in the history of Korean politics. Candidate Lee Jae-myung engaged in a close battle with candidate Lee Nak-yon during the Democratic Party's primary, and faced a neck-and-neck competition with People Power Party's candidate Yoon Suk-yeol in the main election. During this process, various negative attacks focused on allegations of the Daejang-dong development and family issues, and public opinion became sharply divided. He was even attacked by an armed citizen during a campaign rally, but he continued his campaign to successfully mobilize his support base. Ultimately, he lost with a historically low margin of 0.73 percentage points but established himself as the strongest presidential candidate from outside the pro-Moon Jae-in faction in the history of the Democratic Party.

Expansion of Political Base and Organization - Implementing the Politics of Trust

The support base of Representative Lee Jae-myung is not just a product of popularity. The implementation of promises built since his time as the mayor of Seongnam and real-time citizen communication through social media have made 'politics of trust' possible. In particular, the policy of universal welfare directly addressed the practical needs of young people and the middle class, which led to support for his policies. The citizen organization supporting him, 'Finger Revolution Army,' functions not merely as a fandom, but as a politically engaged group with high policy understanding and participation, serving as his political defense line and foundation. After being elected in the 2022 by-election for the National Assembly in Incheon Gyeyang, and being elected as the representative of the Democratic Party in the same year, he has emerged as the de facto highest authority within the party.

After the Presidential Election - Towards a New Era

In the 2024 general election, the Democratic Party achieved a landslide victory, providing the momentum for a change of government. Leader Lee Jae-myung emphasized the 'state of emergency allegations' and the recovery of people's livelihoods and democracy, appealing to the moderate electorate. As a result, he was elected president, marking the culmination of his journey that began with citizen politics into becoming the nation's highest official. Immediately after his election, he indicated plans to form a government centered around close associates without setting up a transition team, demonstrating a commitment to break away from the traditional political operating method. This has been interpreted as a political signal of maintaining the initial intention to engage directly with the people.

Concluding - The Politics of Practice and Commitment

Representative Lee Jae-myung's political career has been centered around 'action rather than words,' 'effect rather than ideology,' and 'field rather than central.' He is a figure who started from the periphery and moved toward the center, recognized as a symbol of a pragmatic progressive politician who challenged vested interests and authoritarian politics. The trajectory of his politics remains open to interpretation. However, the path he has shown so far holds special significance in that it is not a result of someone else's command or a coincidence of the times, but rather a trajectory he has created himself. Moreover, within that journey exists the citizens' hopes and beliefs that 'the world can change.'