Seoul: Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung declared his presidential bid for the June election Thursday, vowing to become "the best tool" to serve the people and prioritize efforts to boost economic growth. Lee, considered the front-runner in the June 3 presidential election triggered by the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, announced his bid a day after he stepped down from the chairmanship of the liberal party.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee emphasized his vision for a "real Republic of Korea" in an 11-minute video message, aiming to create a country shaped by its people. He identified economic growth as his primary policy goal, criticizing the incumbent government for neglecting the economy over the past three years. Lee advocated for increased governmental investment in advanced science and technology, arguing that individual companies cannot sustain the current pace of technological advancement.
In a strategic shift, Lee has sought to distance himself from the Democratic Party's traditional pro-labor stance, presenting a more business-friendly image to attract conservative and centrist voters. On foreign policy, he underscored the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japan, while also pledging to prioritize South Korea's national interests.
Lee's campaign has also focused on distinguishing himself from People Power Party candidates by addressing Yoon's impeachment and the short-lived martial law declaration. He highlighted scenes of public celebration following the Constitutional Court's decision to remove Yoon from office, emphasizing the strength of South Korea's democracy.
Officials have announced that Lee will hold a press conference at the National Assembly on Friday, where he will outline his national vision and introduce his election campaign team. Despite leading in early opinion polls, Lee is entangled in multiple scandals, including a land development controversy in Seongnam, south of Seoul. This marks Lee's third presidential bid, following unsuccessful attempts in 2017 and 2022, with his previous loss to Yoon by a narrow margin three years ago.