“No matter what has happened, the future is better than the past; the future is better than the present; it will always be and that is why we have every reason to be hopeful.”

Lee Jae Myung stands as a powerful symbol of hope and resilience. His inspiring journey from factory worker to transformative political leader captures the imagination of a generation eager for authentic, compassionate, and effective leadership. With a distinguished record of advocacy, civic leadership, and progressive governance, Lee exemplifies a new generation of pragmatic, principled leadership—one committed to equality, opportunity, and building a more inclusive society for all. Lee’s vision for a fairer society continues to resonate far beyond Korea, reflecting universal aspirations for justice, opportunity, and dignity.

Born on December 22, 1964, in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Lee grew up in challenging circumstances as the fifth of seven siblings.

Lee's educational journey is a testament to his exceptional determination and resilience. After graduating from Samgye Elementary School in 1976, his family relocated to Seongnam City – where he would later launch his political career. A poverty-stricken family background compelled him to leave formal education and begin working in factories at the young age of 13. He endured harsh working conditions without formal employment documents—due to legal age restrictions— but he never lost sight of education as his path to freedom.

While working tirelessly, he passed the high school equivalency exam through self-study, eventually obtaining a law degree from Chung-Ang University in 1986. At the remarkable age of 23, Lee passed the challenging Korean bar examination. Completing judicial training at the Judicial Research and Training Institute in 1989, he immediately began practicing law.

Rather than using his talents to pursue wealth or privilege, Lee dedicated himself to advocacy, becoming a human-rights lawyer committed to protecting workers and the vulnerable. In 1989, he joined the Lawyers for a Democratic Society. He played key roles in civic activism, leading labor counseling offices and anti-corruption initiatives and passionately fighting for justice and equality.

For over a decade (1994-2005), Lee actively led civic organizations dedicated to transparency and anti-corruption, notably serving as Executive Chairman of Seongnam Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice and Director of the Seongnam Anti-Corruption Reporting Center.

Realizing he could do more from within the political system, Lee transitioned from activism to public office with a mission to create meaningful change. Lee was elected mayor of Seongnam City, serving two successful terms from 2010 to 2018 and transforming it into one of the Republic of Korea’s most innovative and inclusive municipalities. Building upon this success, he became governor of Gyeonggi Province (2018–2021), the Republic of Korea's most populous province, where he was noted for his progressive, welfare-oriented policies and transparent governance.

His dedication and effectiveness propelled him to national prominence. Lee was elected Member of the National Assembly representing Gyeyang-gu (Incheon) in 2022, subsequently re-elected, and simultaneously served as Chairman of the Democratic Party (2022–2025). Notably, he was the first person since former President Kim Dae Jung to serve consecutive terms as the Democratic Party chairman, highlighting deep confidence in his leadership and vision. In 2025, Lee was elected the 21st President of the Republic of Korea, garnering widespread support from the Korean people across the country.

Beyond politics, Lee is a dedicated family man whose pastimes include hiking, playing go, fishing, and taking long walks. He is an avid reader, and often speaks openly about his belief that life’s struggles are opportunities to grow stronger. Guided by his personal motto, “Do your best and leave the rest to fate,” he maintains a lifelong commitment to personal growth and social responsibility.