Lee Jae-myung, the newly elected South Korean president, draws on his challenging upbringing to inform his political decisions. His poignant childhood experiences of poverty motivate his aim to provide support for South Korea's most vulnerable citizens. Although he lost a close election in 2022, the downfall of his conservative rival Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced impeachment, paved the way for Lee's return. In this recent election, Lee emphasized restoring democratic norms while promoting a promise of security and hope for those in dire circumstances.
"Behind every policy that I implemented was my own impoverished and abject life, the everyday struggles of ordinary South Koreans," Lee stated, emphasizing the personal nature of his political motivations.
"The reason I am in politics today is because I want to create ... a world of hope for those who are still suffering in the same puddle of poverty and despair that I managed to escape," Lee shared.
Although Lee lost that race by 0.73 of a percentage point, it was Yoon who set the stage for Lee's comeback after his impeachment and trial for insurrection.
On the campaign trail, Lee framed his run as a mission to restore the country's democratic norms, offering a promise of a society with a 'thick safety mat' for its vulnerable.
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