Lee, who lost the previous presidential polls to Yoon, is now riding a wave of popular support after overcoming a knife attack, standing up to the martial law order and contesting criminal charges that have threatened to disqualify him from the race.
His ongoing trials on matters ranging from bribery to charges mostly linked to a US$1 billion property development scandal have been pushed back to after the polls.
Lee, wearing a bulletproof vest due to threats to his safety, promised to become the leader of unity and weather a trade crisis triggered by trade tariffs imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump.
His party’s major policy proposals involve growing the economy with a focus on artificial intelligence and K-pop culture industries.
If elected, Lee would seek to restore soured relations with North Korea, which is technically at war with the South, while expanding the country’s diplomatic sphere into Europe, according to the party’s policy pledges.
