Seoul: Former Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung is set to announce his presidential candidacy via a video message on Thursday, according to an aide. Kwon Hyuk-ki, Lee's former chief political planner, informed reporters that the 10-minute video will be released at 10 a.m. and will outline Lee's resolve and determination as he enters the presidential race.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee will follow up his video announcement with a press conference at the National Assembly on Friday, where he plans to present his vision for the nation and introduce the members of his election campaign. Earlier in the day, Lee resigned from his position as party leader to focus on his presidential ambitions in the upcoming June 3 election, which was triggered by the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Lee, who is viewed as a leading candidate in the election, expressed gratitude for his three-year tenure as party leader during a meeting of the DP's supreme council. Despite having been involved in several scandals, including a land development scandal in Seongnam, Lee remains optimistic. An appellate court recently acquitted him of an election law violation that could have jeopardized his parliamentary seat and presidential eligibility.
The political landscape is shifting as parties prepare for the election following the Constitutional Court's decision to uphold Yoon's impeachment over a martial law attempt last December. Lee, who previously lost the presidential race to Yoon by a narrow margin in 2022, stated his confidence in the nation's ability to overcome current challenges, drawing parallels to the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju.
With Lee stepping down, the DP will be led temporarily by the party's floor leader, Park Chan-dae.