This article by Jenny Farrell first appeared in Unity, the weekly publication of the Irish Communist Party.
ON 3rd June, South Korea’s presidential election delivered a resounding result. The centre-left progressive candidate, Lee Jae-myung, emerged victorious in what is seen as the strongest possible rebuke to his predecessor, Yoon Seok-youl, and an attempted return to military dictatorship.
Marked by the highest turnout in 28 years—nearly 80%—the election was a decisive rejection of a recent martial law coup. Lee secured a powerful mandate with 49.4% of the vote, beating his closest contender by almost three million votes.
His support was broad-based, winning among women and across most age groups and regions, signaling a nation largely behind him.
Despite public jubilation, significant challenges persist. The campaign was arduous, and threats against Lee remain. He survived a near-fatal assassination attempt during the campaign, a stark reminder of the political violence that surfaced under Yoon.
Internationally, reactions have been mixed. While many nations offered warm congratulations, the US response was telling; its State Department coupled its congratulations with a glancing statement about Chinese electoral influence.
Furthermore, far-right US figures, including Steve Bannon and Morse Tan, have baselessly alleged election fraud, foreshadowing intense external pressure on the new administration.
Domestically, deep historical divisions were highlighted.
The country’s west, including Seoul and Jeolla province, voted progressively, while the southeast, a traditional stronghold of far-right conservatism and the birthplace of past military dictators, voted against him.
This split is rooted in the violent purging of leftists from the region after the Korean War.
President Lee’s challenges are formidable. A significant 40% of the electorate voted for the pro-coup candidate, a bloc comprised largely of older men who benefited from past dictatorships.
Younger men also split their vote, indicating a need for national unity. Economically, Lee inherits an anaemic economy predicted to grow just 1%, a legacy of the US-enforced neoliberal restructuring after the 1990s IMF crisis, which dismantled South Korea’s developmental state and caused widespread social suffering.
In his inaugural speech, Lee outlined a vision of sovereignty, fair economic growth, and peace, including open dialogue with North Korea.
However, he must navigate a precarious geopolitical tightrope. The US, which holds operational control over South Korea’s military, will pressure him to maintain alliances and agreements that could pull the nation into a US-led conflict over Taiwan.
Lee’s emphasis on national interest and trade with China suggests a desire for a more independent path, which will inevitably provoke fierce opposition.
Lee’s life story shows he has the resilience for the fight ahead. Born into crushing poverty, he left school at 12 to work in sweatshops, where his arm was permanently disabled in an accident. He endured beatings, attempted suicide twice, but studied at night, eventually becoming a human rights lawyer.
As mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi, he championed reform. He nearly defeated Yoon in 2022, and throughout Yoon’s presidency he faced relentless persecution, including 300 raids on his home.
Despite this, and the assassination attempt, he remains composed and dignified.
South Korea remains a de facto US neo-colony, as shown when the military installed the THAAD missile system without informing then-president Moon Jae-in, citing a non-disclosure agreement with the US.
Within these constraints, Lee will strive to assert sovereignty and secure a peaceful, prosperous future.
As the wolves circle, the hope is that his strength and principles will guide the nation through a transformative era.
Based on an interview with K.J. Noh.
The full interview is available below: