[Inside Chodong] The Return of the Outsider: Lee Jaemyung and the Reshaping of Korean Politics

From Progressive "General from the Periphery" to Centrist Pragmatist Presidential Contender
"Third Bid for the Top Office: Can He Lead a New Paradigm in Korean Politics?"

I first met the politician Lee Jaemyung on a summer night in 2016 at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul. At the time, he was the mayor of Seongnam and had drawn attention in political circles for his so-called "cider remarks," which sharply criticized then-President Park Geunhye. Even though quite some time has passed, that day remains memorable not only because of his impressive eloquence but also his humility in introducing himself as a "general from the periphery." I sensed then that he would not be a fleeting star, and my expectation soon became reality.

During the impeachment crisis, he fought in the streets and quickly rose to stardom, becoming a presidential contender. His "peripheral general's journey to Hanyang" was truly a sensation. Among the Democratic Party primary candidates, he was the most progressive, fiercely checking then-candidate Moon Jaein on various social and economic issues. At his campaign's dissolution ceremony, where he sang "March for the Beloved," he remarked, "History may seem to be made by those in power, but in reality, it is created by outsiders and the people. I will gather that strength and make a new start." The ceremony, which felt more like a send-off rally, often came to mind afterward.

Looking back at my notes from that dissolution ceremony, I recently realized something. The vividness of my memory was not only due to the unexpectedly lively atmosphere, contrary to predictions of gloom. It was also because of the deeply ingrained "outsider sentiment" that permeated not just the candidate but the entire campaign.

Five years later, in the 2022 presidential election, I saw him again. He had "leveled up" to become the governor of the most populous region, and his national profile had grown even more prominent. The dynamics had also changed. He was no longer the one keeping others in check, but rather the one being checked. His "myth" became the subject of suspicion. The election felt less like a contest of visions and more like a mixed martial arts match, with lawsuits and accusations flying. Dreaming of the highest office, he raced forward like someone riding a bicycle that would topple if he stopped pedaling. This time, he passed the primary threshold but had to taste defeat in the general election. His opponent was an elite graduate of Seoul National University's law school and a former prosecutor.

After losing the presidential race, he seemed obsessed with political survival. Instead of taking a political hiatus or studying abroad, he immediately ran in a parliamentary by-election and seized party leadership. The prosecution's relentless pursuit targeted him, and he desperately had to evade their blade. Amidst extremely polarized political conflict, he even came close to losing his life. Then, after a series of upheavals?including sudden martial law, the impeachment and removal of a sitting president?he once again found himself on the presidential stage.

Compared to nine years ago, he has changed beyond recognition. Once the most left-leaning figure in the Democratic Party, he now presents himself as a centrist conservative and pragmatist. His focus has shifted from fairness and distribution to growth. He has come to the conclusion that the pie must grow before it can be divided.

Above all, his characteristic outsider sentiment is now hard to find. His approach to problems, his solutions, and even his attitude toward the world all seem to have changed. What could such changes mean for Korean politics?

His third presidential bid is now moving in a direction that calls for change in Korean politics, grounded in the growth of an individual. This is because someone who long represented the dogmas of Korea's progressive camp on labor, environment, economy, and finance is now seeking to overturn those established logics in the name of pragmatism. Regardless of the election outcome, change in Korean politics through Lee Jaemyung may well begin here.