• Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, wins his party's nomination for the June 3 presidential election.
• He leads opinion polls significantly against conservative opponents, despite facing legal challenges.
• Lee's campaign highlights his experience in politics, law, and a commitment to addressing economic inequality.
• The upcoming election follows the ousting of former President Yoon Suk-yeol due to a failed martial law declaration.
• Lee's political journey includes notable incidents, such as surviving an assassination attempt and climbing over National Assembly walls during a political crisis.

Lee Jae-myung has been nominated by South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party of Korea as its candidate for the upcoming snap presidential election scheduled for June 3. He has consistently led in opinion polls, showing a double-digit advantage over contenders from the conservative People Power Party, which will announce its nominee on May 3. This follows Lee's successful tenure as the party leader, where he guided the Democrats to a significant victory in the previous parliamentary election in 2024, according to South China Morning Post, Reuters, and Channel News Asia.

The 61-year-old Lee has a tumultuous background in South Korean politics, having previously lost the presidency in 2022 by a record narrow margin against Yoon Suk-yeol, who was impeached recently over a failed martial law imposition. Lee's position as a prominent opposition figure was solidified when he played a critical role in blocking the martial law order, climbing over National Assembly walls to ensure a vote against it. Following his victory in securing his party's candidacy, he stated, "I am not only the candidate of the Democratic Party, but of all people who yearn for the end of insurrection," according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Polling data reveals that Lee maintains a strong 48.5% support among voters, despite a slight drop attributed to concerns regarding the outcome of an election law violation case against him. His opponents from the People Power Party, including Kim Moon-soo, trail significantly, indicating Lee's strong position. The Democratic Party also garners considerable party support, reflecting public sentiment against Yoon's administration and its aftermath. These dynamics will be critical as the election date approaches, according to Anadolu Agency and Channel News Asia.

Despite his leading status, Lee faces ongoing legal challenges that could impact his eligibility for the presidency. These include various accusations related to election law violations and corruption linked to a significant $1 billion property development scandal. He has denied all allegations and had an initial verdict against him overturned, which keeps the community alert regarding his status as a candidate as the Supreme Court deliberates on these matters, according to South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.