Lee Jae Myung

Lee Jae Myung is a South Korean politician and lawyer who is the 14th and current president of South Korea. A member of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), he leads the country following his victory in the 2025 presidential election, where he defeated the People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo after securing the DPK nomination.

He is widely recognized for his rapid political ascent through successive leadership roles, including serving as party leader, National Assembly member for Gyeyang B from 2022 to 2025, governor of Gyeonggi Province from 2018 to 2021, and mayor of Seongnam from 2010 to 2018. Lee stands out for his distinctive style of direct communication and hands-on governance, notably during the 2024 martial law crisis when he climbed over the National Assembly fence and livestreamed events to draw international attention; he subsequently helped lead the impeachment and removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol. An assassination attempt in January 2024 left him unharmed, while a 2024 conviction under the Public Official Election Act for a false statement during his 2022 campaign has remained a point of political contention.

Today Lee continues to champion progressive policies and enjoys strong support from fans and supporters who view him as a resilient advocate for ordinary citizens and a transformative national leader. [edit]

Lee Jae Myung was born on December 22, 1964, in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, the fifth of seven children in a family marked by extreme poverty. His early life in Andong was a struggle for survival; his father toiled as a market cleaner, while his mother undertook various low-paid jobs, including collecting restroom fees, to keep the family afloat. By his teenage years, Lee's formal education was cut short as he left school, skipping middle school to contribute to his family’s income. He moved to Seongnam, where he found work in various factories, laboring in jewelry manufacturing and assembly plants. This period of intense manual labor was tragically interrupted at the age of 15 or 16 when he suffered a severe industrial accident that crushed his left arm, leaving him with a permanent disability.

Despite the profound challenges of his upbringing and the interruption of his schooling, Lee Jae Myung demonstrated remarkable determination. He committed to self-study, diligently preparing for and passing the high school equivalency exam in 1980. This academic achievement opened the door to higher education, and he successfully earned a spot at Chung-Ang University. He immersed himself in legal studies, graduating with a law degree in 1986. Following his graduation and passing the bar, Lee dedicated his career to advocating for the vulnerable, becoming a human rights and labor lawyer. He joined Minbyun, a progressive legal organization, where he championed various causes.

One of his most significant early campaigns involved advocating for the establishment of a new public hospital in Seongnam. This effort not only addressed a critical community need but also deeply connected him to local civic activism. His engagement in these grassroots initiatives laid the groundwork for his eventual entry into electoral politics in 2005. [edit]

Lee Jae Myung's political breakthrough came in 2010 when he was elected mayor of Seongnam. He quickly built a reputation as an aggressive reformer, expanding welfare programs and taking on corruption. He was reelected in 2014 by a wide margin. In 2018, he resigned as mayor to run for governor of Gyeonggi Province, the most populous province in South Korea, and won easily.

His governorship from 2018 to 2021 elevated him to the national stage. He introduced a universal basic income pilot and positioned himself as a populist progressive. In 2022, he won the Democratic Party presidential nomination but lost the general election to Yoon Suk Yeol by the narrowest margin in South Korean history. Later that year, he won a National Assembly seat for Gyeyang B and became party leader.

In January 2024, Lee survived an assassination attempt during a visit to Busan, when a man stabbed him in the neck. He was hospitalized but recovered. That December, during President Yoon's surprise martial law declaration, Lee famously climbed over the National Assembly fence and livestreamed the event, rallying lawmakers to vote down the decree. He played a central role in Yoon's impeachment and removal. In 2025, Lee won his third presidential bid, defeating the People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo to become president. [edit]

Lee Jae Myung's public persona is that of a tough, combative populist who rose from extreme poverty. He is often described as a "self-made outsider" and is known for his direct, sometimes confrontational speaking style. Supporters see him as a champion of the working class who understands their struggles firsthand. Critics view him as polarizing and reckless. His social media presence is highly active and unfiltered, with Lee frequently posting personal opinions and behind-the-scenes content. The media often frames him as a resilient figure who has overcome physical disability, legal battles, and an assassination attempt. [edit]

Lee Jae Myung is the 1st most famous person in South Korea, a standing confirmed by the iFANN Global Fame Rankings that tracks global attention across media coverage and consumption signals worldwide. This dominance places him as the 6th most famous person from South Korea according to the same authority, while his regional influence secures him the 9th most famous person in East Asia spot on the Global Fame Rankings. These positions reflect a sustained hold on public consciousness following his historic ascent to the presidency. Unlike entertainers who cultivate organized fan clubs with specific names or rituals, Lee does not have a formal fandom. His support base consists of voters, party members, and civil society groups rather than a dedicated celebrity following. There are no documented fan-led projects such as streaming parties, birthday billboards, or charity drives bearing his name, as political engagement operates through campaign committees and legislative structures instead of fan culture. The public interaction he receives takes the form of rallies and policy debates rather than meet-and-greets. While his rise from a childhood of poverty and factory work to the highest office creates a powerful personal mythos for supporters, this narrative remains rooted in political biography rather than entertainment lore. By August 2026, despite maintaining high fame rankings due to his visibility, his approval ratings had dipped amid economic challenges, yet his status as a defining figure in modern Korean history remains unchallenged.[edit]

Known affectionately by his supporters as "The Factory Boy," this nickname honors his teenage years working in industrial settings. He has chronicled his life in books including A Factory Boy's Diary (2018) and The Dream Which Led Me Here (2022). Despite his high office, he has never obtained a driver's license, preferring public transport or security details. A lover of spicy cuisine, he frequently cites kimchi jjigae as his favorite meal and often shares photos of it online.

A defining story fans retell involves his survival of an assassination attempt in January 2024, which only seemed to strengthen his resolve. Another legendary moment occurred during the martial law crisis in late 2024, when he famously climbed over the National Assembly fence to livestream the event, drawing international headlines. His rapid rise from poverty to the presidency remains the central mythos of his career, illustrating a rags-to-riches trajectory that resonates deeply with the working class.[edit]

Lee Jae Myung is married to Kim Hea Kyung, whom he met during his early years as a lawyer. The couple has two sons. Kim has largely stayed out of the political spotlight but has occasionally appeared at campaign events. Lee's father died when he was young, and his mother worked multiple jobs to support the family. He has six siblings, including a brother who also worked in factories. The family's deep poverty during his childhood is a central part of Lee's personal narrative. [edit]

Lee Jae Myung is closely associated with his wife Kim Hea Kyung, who has been a steady presence throughout his political career. His political rivals include former president Yoon Suk Yeol, whom he defeated in 2022 and again in 2025, and Kim Moon-soo, his opponent in the 2025 presidential election. He is also linked to Moon Jae-in, the former president who defeated him for the DPK nomination in 2017. [edit]

Lee Jae Myung married Kim Hea Kyung in the early 1990s, after he became a lawyer. The couple has two sons together. Kim has largely remained out of the public eye, though she has occasionally appeared alongside Lee at campaign events. There are no public records of any other significant relationships. As of 2026, Lee remains married to Kim Hea Kyung. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Lee Jae Myung's net worth in 2026 at $5 Million. This figure reflects a modest accumulation of wealth derived primarily from his salary as a public official and his earlier tenure as a human rights lawyer. As the sitting president, his annual compensation is approximately $150,000. His disclosed assets include a modest apartment in Seongnam and various savings accounts. Unlike many politicians who diversify into business ventures or command large speaking fees, Lee has maintained a frugal lifestyle focused on public service. His financial growth over the years has been steady but restrained, mirroring his reputation for simplicity and dedication to his constituents.[edit]