(3rd LD) Lee Jae-myung tapped presidential candidate for Democratic Party
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By Yi Wonju
SEOUL, April 27 (Yonhap) — Former Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung, who has made economic recovery and talks with North Korea his top priority, won the party’s presidential nomination Sunday and solidified his stance as front-runner for the June 3 presidential election.
Lee, a human rights lawyer-turned-politician, won 89.77 percent of all votes cast in the party’s primary, becoming the party’s formal presidential candidate for the second time, after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office over his failed martial law bid.
This marks the highest figure ever recorded in a presidential primary among DP-affiliated candidates since South Korea achieved its full-fledged democracy in 1987.
Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung poses for a photo after winning the Democratic Party’s nomination for president at a party event in Goyang, just north of Seoul, on April 27, 2025. (Yonhap)
With just 37 days remaining before the June 3 election, Lee vowed to build a “completely new country” and what he called a “true Republic of Korea.”
“I will humbly fulfill the responsibility of achieving national unity, which is both the mission of politics and the president’s top priority,” Lee said in his acceptance speech.
He stressed that being elected with an unprecedented 89.77 percent support is a “reflection of the public’s desperate hope” to realize democracy, human rights, peace, safety, recovery, growth, unity and happiness.
“From now on, Lee Jae-myung is not only the DP’s candidate but also the candidate for all citizens yearning to end turmoil, overcome crises, and achieve unity and happiness,” he said.
Mentioning the word “unity” 14 times in his speech, Lee pledged to “close the door of the old era stained by inequality, despair, conflict and confrontation,” and to open a new one filled with hope and unity.
Gyeonggi Province Gov. Kim Dong-yeon came in second with 6.87 percent, while Kim Kyung-soo, a former South Gyeongsang Province governor, won 3.36 percent.
In 2022, Lee lost to former President Yoon Suk Yeol by just 0.73 percentage point.
Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung (L) raises his hands up at a primary event to choose the party’s flag bearer for the June 3 presidential election in Goyang, just north of Seoul, on April 27, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Lee has emphasized economic growth as one of his top priorities before the primary, in a notable departure from previous liberal politicians.
While his presidential campaign in 2022 highlighted redistribution measures, such as universal basic income, Lee has focused more on economic growth and pragmatism in his second presidential bid, touching on issues like advanced technology and artificial intelligence.
Since earlier this year, Lee has sought to break away from the DP’s traditional pro-labor stance and be seen as more business-friendly in a bid to appeal to conservative and centrist voters.
Lee has also recently voiced openness to dialogue with North Korea.
On foreign policy, Lee has highlighted the importance of the alliance between South Korea and the United States, as well as trilateral cooperation involving Japan, while pledging to pursue policies that prioritize South Korea’s interests first.
Lee has been leading in early opinion polls despite being at the heart of several scandals, including a land development scandal in Seongnam, south of Seoul.
According to a poll conducted by Gallup Korea last week, Lee garnered 38 percent support. Following him were Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, with 8 percent and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo with 7 percent.
Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung poses for a photo after winning the party’s nomination for president at a party event in Goyang, just north of Seoul, on April 27, 2025. (Yonhap)
Lee Jae-myung (C), former leader of the Democratic Party, greets party members, along with former South Gyeongsang Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo (L) and Gyeonggi Gov. Kim Dong-yeon, after winning the party’s presidential nomination following a primary event in the city of Goyang, just north of Seoul, on April 27, 2025. (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
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