From Factory Floor to Presidential Palace: The Inspiring Rise of South Korea's Lee Jae-myung

South Korea's New President: Lee Jae-myung's Remarkable Journey From Poverty to Presidency Lee Jae-myung's inauguration as South Korea's president marks a significant moment in the nation's history. His journey is one of remarkable resilience and determination, overcoming significant hardships to reach the highest office. Born into poverty, he worked as an underage factory worker, sustaining a permanent arm injury in an industrial accident. "Although there are many scars that are still on my body," he recounted in a 2022 interview, "the distortion of my arm made me a disabled man." This experience fueled his commitment to social justice, leading him to a career in human rights law. After nearly two decades as a human rights lawyer, Lee entered politics, serving as mayor of Seongnam and later governor of Gyeonggi province. His political career wasn't without its challenges. In 2024, a shocking event occurred: he was stabbed in the neck in Busan, an attack that some believe was intended to prevent his presidential aspirations. Despite this, he persevered, running for president twice before his recent victory. His narrow loss in 2022 to Yoon Suk-yeol, by a mere 0.73%, only fueled his resolve. Now, as president, he vows to ease tensions with North Korea and pursue pragmatic foreign policies prioritizing ties with the US, China, and Russia. His story is an inspiration, demonstrating the power of perseverance and the importance of fighting for one's beliefs.