"For the National Interest of South Korea” – Lee Jae-myung

미국 타임지 "이재명, 이미 완연한 국가지도자 행보"


The upcoming June 3 presidential election in South Korea is a decisive moment that transcends a routine political contest — it is a battle to defend democracy against far-right coup forces and foreign interference, particularly from the United States.

Lee Jae-myung, the leading opposition candidate, is portrayed by some international media as a mature national leader focused on protecting South Korea’s sovereignty and national interests. In an exclusive interview with TIME magazine, Lee emphasized the need to prioritize the welfare of the Korean people, while expressing cautious optimism about renewed dialogue between the U.S., North Korea, and South Korea to secure peace on the peninsula.

Polls reinforce Lee’s strong position, showing him leading with a clear majority even in scenarios where opposition candidates unify. His popularity reflects widespread public desire to reject the current far-right government, which is accused of attempting a military-style coup, undermining democratic institutions, and engaging in electoral manipulation.

Civic groups, labor unions, and progressive organizations are mobilizing to resist what they describe as U.S. interference in Korea’s internal affairs. They highlight U.S. complicity in recent undemocratic actions, including support for the current administration’s authoritarian measures and attempts to influence the election through disinformation and economic pressure. The calls are growing louder for workers and citizens to take the lead in reclaiming national sovereignty and democracy through voting. Voters and activists alike view this election as a referendum on whether South Korea will continue down a path of democratic regression and foreign control or restore its sovereignty and democratic ideals. In brief, the June 3 election is seen as a critical juncture — a choice between endorsing a far-right coup and foreign interference, or decisively rejecting them to restore democracy, national dignity, and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Exclusive: Lee Jae-myung Aims to Steer South Korea Past Its Moment of Crisis and Mounting Challenges
“He [Trump] has outstanding skills in terms of negotiation and bargaining,” Lee tells TIME in his only interview on the campaign trail. And he stands for the interests of the American people, which I think is desirable. The same applies for my position as well; I also need to look out for the interests of the Korean people, for their better lives, and for South Korea’s national interests.”...Lee agrees. “I understand that President Trump expects to engage in dialogue with Kim Jong Un,” he says. “That is helpful for the peace of the Korean peninsula, as well as for Northeast Asia.” Read

미국 타임지 "이재명, 이미 완연한 국가지도자 행보"

[Poll Highlights] Final Survey Shows Lee Jae-myung Has Majority Even If Candidates Unite. Presidential Candidate Preference: Lee Jae-myung Leads with 50.3%, Ahead of Kim Moon-soo by 17.6 Percentage Points (32.7%)

[여론조사꽃] 마지막 조사, 단일화 돼도 이재명 과반

"We Won’t Give Korea Back to the Far Right"

"[Op-Ed] Let Workers Take the Lead in Opening the Path of Mass Struggle in the June 3 Election to Defeat the Forces of Rebellion" Finally, we must fight to put an end to U.S. interference in our domestic affairs. The United States was fully aware in advance of Yoon Suk-yeol’s plan to impose martial law, yet stood by and did nothing. After the attempted coup, it even expressed support for the acting government led by Han Duck-soo and Choi Sang-mok—Yoon's accomplices. Furthermore, it openly interfered by issuing directives calling for the removal of both Yoon Suk-yeol and opposition candidate Lee Jae-myung. In addition, the U.S. continues to heighten the risk of war by expanding its theater of operations in the Asia-Pacific region, strengthening the U.S.-ROK-Japan military alliance, and deploying strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula. Even before a new government has been formed, the U.S. has begun pressuring Korea with tariff threats as part of an effort to control the next administration—an effort welcomed by the coup forces through acts of treachery. In this presidential election, workers must stand at the forefront to block U.S. interference, and to lead the struggle to defend national sovereignty, economic independence, and democracy.

"Police Raid ‘Impeach Yoon’ Candlelight Action Rally Group… Collect 45,000 Donor Records". Last year, the police conducted a large-scale raid against the civic group "Candlelight Action," which was organizing rallies calling for the resignation of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. It has been confirmed that the police obtained personal information and bank account details of approximately 45,000 donors who had supported the group. Candlelight Action is protesting, saying this is an attempt to create a blacklist. In August of last year, the civic group Candlelight Action announced a 100-day all-out struggle to demand the resignation of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.

"Workers Must Take the Lead in Crushing U.S. Interference in Domestic Affairs!” Labor Division of the National Sovereignty Solidarity Issues Statement". Calls to expose and resist U.S. interference in South Korea’s internal affairs are gaining traction, as a newly published statement by the Labor Division of the National Sovereignty Solidarity draws attention. Labor organizations, including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), are being urged to take diverse actions to confront this foreign intervention.In the statement released on February 5, the Labor Division asserts, “Behind the desperate resistance and violent outbursts—accompanied by sophistry—from Yoon Suk-yeol and the People Power Party lies the United States.” The group criticized the U.S. for expressing support for Acting Presidents Han Duck-soo and Choi Sang-mok, while repeatedly voicing negative views toward Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung...It continued, “The KCTU and broader progressive forces must remain vigilant against U.S. schemes and raise strong voices of protest and condemnation,” and added, “Labor organizations, including the KCTU, should launch diverse campaigns—such as press conferences and statements—to expose and denounce U.S. interference in our domestic politics.” The statement concluded with a call to action: “Let workers take the lead in crushing U.S. interference, removing Yoon Suk-yeol from office, and fighting to build a democratic government.”

"[Column] We won’t give Korea back to the far right?

Korean university students protest against far-right presidential candidate Lee Jun-seok, condemning his hateful, misogynistic, and anti-women rhetoric. They affirm that there is no place for hatred or violence against women in a democratic society.

A 101-year-old Korean woman casts early vote, standing tall for democracy.

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이재명

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