In brief
On December 3, 2024, a critical moment unfolded in South Korean politics when President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, prompting immediate backlash from opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and his supporters in the National Assembly.
Lee Jae-myung, head of the opposition party, swiftly mobilized lawmakers to oppose the martial law decree issued by President Yoon Suk Yeol on the evening of December 3, 2024. In a fervent appeal to his supporters and party members, Lee urged them to gather at the National Assembly to pass a resolution to nullify the decree. He went so far as to warn that Yoon may attempt to deploy military force to prevent the legislative vote, declaring, “The people should defend this nation.” His call resonated with thousands who answered the invitation, converging on the assembly in a show of solidarity.Lee's remarkable journey from humble beginnings to political prominence is notable. Born into a family with modest means, where his parents worked as public toilet cleaners, Lee spent his youth working in a sweatshop—a challenging environment where he sustained a serious injury to his left hand. He transitioned to a career as a labor lawyer, advocating for workers’ rights for over two decades before stepping into the political arena during the mid-2000s. Rising through the ranks of the Democratic Party of Korea, he has held various significant positions, including mayor and provincial governor.In April 2020, the Democratic Party, under his leadership, achieved a supermajority in the National Assembly. Lee's political ambitions peaked with his presidential candidacy in 2022, where he championed popular social programs, advocating for universal basic income and government-supported personal loans. As tensions escalate following the martial law declaration, Lee’s leadership and commitment to democracy will be pivotal in shaping South Korea's political landscape.
