[Profile] Lee Jae Myung Elected as Democratic Party Candidate for the 21st Presidential Election

"An Order to Open a New Era"

Lee Jae Myung, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has been elected as the party's candidate for the 21st presidential election.

The Central Election Management Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea announced on April 27 at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, that Lee was ultimately selected as the Democratic Party's candidate for the 21st presidential election, after securing a cumulative vote share of 89.77% in the primary for the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon, and Jeju regions.

Lee set a record for the highest vote share ever in a Democratic Party presidential primary. Kim Dong Yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, received 7%, and Kim Kyung Soo, former Governor of South Gyeongsang Province, received 3%.

Lee is known for his unique path in Korean political history. He was born in 1964 in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, and worked as a child laborer at a factory in Sangdaewon-dong, Seongnam. He later dedicated himself to his studies, completed middle and high school through qualification exams, and graduated from Chung-Ang University with a degree in law in 1982.

After passing the 28th National Bar Exam and completing the Judicial Research and Training Institute, he worked as a human rights lawyer. He was active in organizations such as Seongnam People's Solidarity before joining the Uri Party in August 2005. His political career began in earnest when he was elected mayor of Seongnam in 2010. As mayor, he consistently pursued welfare policies and reforms focused on improving people's livelihoods.

Lee Jae Myung, 21st Presidential Election Democratic Party Presidential Candidate

In 2016, during the candlelight protests, he gained national recognition by calling for the impeachment of former President Park Geun Hye. He ran in the 19th presidential election in 2017 but was eliminated in the primaries. He then ran for Governor of Gyeonggi Province in 2018 and won by a large margin. As governor, he introduced new economic models with pledges such as "basic income" and "local currency."

Lee was selected as the Democratic Party's candidate for the 20th presidential election in 2022. He campaigned under the slogan of a "people-centered economy," reaching out to the public. Although he ultimately lost to candidate Yoon Suk Yeol after a fierce contest, his policies and vision received strong support from many citizens. In his acceptance speech, Lee stated, "Through an overwhelming change of government, we have been ordered to end the old era of rebellion and regression and open a new era of popular sovereignty and hope."

▲ Born in 1964 in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province ▲ Bachelor of Law, Chung-Ang University ▲ Passed the 28th National Bar Exam in 1986 ▲ 5th and 6th popularly elected Mayor of Seongnam ▲ Democratic Party of Korea primary candidate in the 19th presidential election ▲ Governor of Gyeonggi Province ▲ Democratic Party of Korea candidate in the 20th presidential election ▲ 21st and 22nd National Assembly member (Gyeyang-eul, Incheon) ▲ Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea