[Editorial] The Dawn of the Lee Jae-myung Presidency – Walking with the Vulnerable Toward a Just Politics

 The Dawn of the Lee Jae-myung Presidency – Walking with the Vulnerable Toward a Just Politics

21st President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-myung

Lee Jae-myung has been elected as the 21st President of the Republic of Korea. His victory transcends the success of a single individual; it is the culmination of the aspirations of countless citizens yearning for justice and fairness in this land. Lee’s life reflects, without distortion, the harsh realities of social inequality, and his political journey has been a relentless struggle to confront those realities and seek solutions.

His beginnings were among the humblest. Born in 1964 in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, he was the fifth of seven siblings, raised in a landless, impoverished farming family. In pursuit of a better life, his parents moved around 1976 to Dandae-dong, Sujeong District, Seongnam City, on the outskirts of the Seoul metropolitan area — then a dilapidated shantytown. This area was a gathering place for displaced working-class families caught in the shadows of rapid industrialization, where poverty remained pervasive, and young Lee had to labor to support his family.

Around the age of twelve, he entered the workforce to help make ends meet. Working in harsh conditions handling adhesives and lead compounds, he suffered permanent damage to half of his sense of smell. Later, while working in a baseball glove factory, an accident involving a press machine crushed his right arm, leaving him with a lifelong disability. At an age when children should have been playing and learning, his body was burdened by labor, and school and books felt worlds away. Studying was a luxury, not a dream; the future was shrouded in uncertainty.

Yet, he never gave up. Despite the hardship, he persevered through self-study, passing the high school equivalency exam, and later passed the bar exam through his own determination. These experiences of confronting an unjust society became the foundation of his political philosophy.

Lee’s political philosophy is rooted in pragmatic progressivism. He does not bind himself to rigid ideologies or slogans but focuses on tangible improvements in people’s everyday lives. He prioritizes action over words, delivering concrete change rather than hollow promises. His tenure as Mayor of Seongnam and Governor of Gyeonggi Province demonstrated this commitment through practical policies that reflected his convictions.

Now, he carries the responsibility of leading the nation. South Korea faces a complex web of challenges: geopolitical uncertainty, deepening social polarization, a rapidly shrinking population, and the escalating climate crisis. Alongside these, the urgent need to revitalize national science and technology, accelerate the transition to renewable energy, and strengthen robust national defense stand as critical imperatives. Nevertheless, his unwavering determination and resolve will serve as a source of hope to overcome these trials and guide the country toward a sustainable future.

His path has been far from smooth. His outspoken manner has often sparked controversy, and he has stood at the heart of political conflict. But as all politicians carve their own way, he has forged his path with firmness and action. The people have entrusted him with another chance.

What lies ahead is not merely a political contest, but the imperative to govern stably and find a way for all citizens to live together. Welfare for the vulnerable, investments in youth and future generations, digital transformation, and balanced regional development must transcend partisan battles and be embraced as national priorities. Through careful balancing of welfare and fiscal responsibility, tangible improvements in people’s lives must be realized.

He has long identified himself as a fighter against entrenched privilege. Now he stands at the pinnacle of power. Whether he can continue to amplify the voices of the marginalized from this position remains under public scrutiny.

We ask again: Is justice truly achievable? Can common sense prevail over power? Can poverty be broken from its cycle, and effort be fairly rewarded?

Lee Jae-myung will dedicate himself to answering these questions. The era of the boy from humble origins who dreamed of a fairer nation has begun. The Republic of Korea stands at that crossroads.

by pre2w