A Message of "Not Being Bound by Ideology" Reflected in the Sneakers
Instant Sellout Due to Popularity... Supporters Rush to Buy
Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is changing into sneakers at the departure ceremony and first campaign rally held at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun Min
On May 12, the sneakers worn by Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, on the first day of his campaign drew attention and quickly sold out on online shopping malls. On this first official day of the 21st presidential election campaign, Lee kicked off his campaign at Cheonggye Plaza in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Upon arriving at the departure ceremony, he took off his suit and dress shoes and changed into a blue Democratic Party jumper and sneakers.
The sneakers Lee wore stood out because they combined blue, the color symbolizing the Democratic Party, and red, the color representing the People Power Party. His blue jumper also featured a red triangle shape at the lower corner of the 'Number 1' symbol. This appears to reflect Lee's intention to send a message of bipartisan unity. Additionally, the sneakers displayed Lee's campaign slogan, "Now is Lee Jae Myung," in place of a brand logo.
Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung is giving a speech at the campaign rally held at Dongtan Central Park Music Fountain Central Plaza in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province on May 12, the first official day of the June 3 presidential election campaign. The sneakers worn by Lee bear the phrase "From now on, the real Republic of Korea." 2025.5.12 [Joint Coverage] Yonhap News Agency
At the departure ceremony, Lee delivered a message of unity, stating, "From now on, there are no issues of progressivism. From now on, there are no issues of conservatism. Only the issues of the Republic of Korea and the people remain." The brand identity (BI) revealed in earlier campaign materials also reflected the meaning of national unity. The BI, inspired by the Taegeuk pattern, incorporated both blue and red colors.
Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is changing into sneakers at the departure ceremony and first campaign rally held at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun Min
In the previous 20th presidential election, Lee was also reported to have worn blue sneakers. Wearing sneakers that harmonized two colors, he emphasized, "With greater humility, I will take the lead in achieving national unity, which is the first duty of the president, and I will gather the earnest and desperate hopes of everyone to ensure victory." Meanwhile, the sneakers Lee wore on this day were the Classic Leather 'GY1522' model released by Reebok in 2022, with a retail price of 89,000 won. As of the morning of May 13, the sneakers were sold out on most online shopping malls.
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