South Korea's Presidential Race Turns A Page On Authoritarian Ghosts

In a pivotal election shaped by scandal, mistrust and generational division, South Korea appears set to elect Lee Jae-myung—a combative, left-wing populist turned consensus-seeker—as its next president. Once known for his fiery rhetoric and combative political style, Lee now casts himself as a unifier capable of healing a nation still shaken by the failed martial law ambitions of his predecessor.

His rise marks a decisive shift in South Korean politics: a move away from the authoritarian impulses that have intermittently resurfaced in the country’s modern history. As voters demand reform, transparency, and institutional accountability, Lee’s campaign reflects both the trauma of the recent past and the hopes of a more democratic future.

Political Crisis and Institutional Trauma

South Korea's 2025 presidential election does not exist in a vacuum. It follows a period of intense political strain, triggered by allegations that then-president Yoon Suk-yeol considered imposing martial law in response to widespread protests against his administration. The plot, exposed by whistleblowers and later confirmed in part by investigative media, sent shockwaves through the country.

Although the plan never materialised, the fallout was profound. High-level resignations, formal inquiries, and a wave of public demonstrations eroded confidence in the nation’s conservative establishment. For many voters, the episode evoked painful memories of past military regimes and their suppression of civil liberties—a history South Koreans believed they had left behind in the 1980s.

These events have had a measurable impact on public trust. Surveys conducted in the months following the scandal showed a sharp decline in confidence toward the executive, judiciary, and military. Younger voters in particular expressed deep frustration at what they saw as an entrenched elite using emergency powers as a political weapon.

The Reinvention of Lee Jae-myung

Lee Jae-myung is no stranger to political reinvention. As former governor of Gyeonggi Province, he built a reputation as a pugnacious critic of the establishment, unafraid to take on major corporations or call out corruption within his own ranks. His working-class origins and populist style earned him both admiration and suspicion.

But in the 2025 race, Lee has notably softened his tone. While his core message of reform remains, he now frames his candidacy as a path toward national reconciliation. “This country doesn’t need more division. It needs clarity, fairness, and healing,” he said in a televised address last month.

His rebranding appears to be working. Polls show strong support from urban middle-class voters, young professionals, and disaffected moderates seeking a break from both scandal-plagued conservatives and establishment liberals. Unlike previous progressive candidates, Lee combines a reformist agenda with the political savvy of a seasoned operator.

Voters Demand a New Social Contract

Lee’s message resonates because it taps into a deeper shift in the electorate. The martial law scandal did not create voter disillusionment—it merely exposed and accelerated it. Across the political spectrum, there is a growing demand for a new kind of leadership: one that prioritises integrity, social equity, and structural reform.

This is particularly visible among voters in their 20s and 30s, many of whom feel locked out of economic opportunity and deeply skeptical of traditional parties. These groups are less ideological than previous generations, but more focused on outcomes: affordable housing, decent jobs, and functional institutions. For them, Lee’s appeal lies not in his party affiliation, but in his promise to restore accountability.

His campaign platform reflects this pragmatism. It includes proposals to strengthen whistleblower protections, decentralise executive power, and increase parliamentary oversight of emergency measures. Lee has also promised to investigate the martial law incident in full and reform the national security laws that made it possible.

A Rejection of Strongman Politics

South Korea has long wrestled with the legacy of strongman rule. From the dictatorship of Park Chung-hee to the military-backed regimes of the 1980s, the country’s path to democracy has been marked by periods of intense authoritarian control. While economic progress was often cited to justify these regimes, their human cost—censorship, torture, and political imprisonment—left lasting scars.

In recent years, some elements of the right have attempted to revive that legacy, arguing for a more security-focused approach to governance. The martial law episode, however, may have decisively ended that conversation. Lee’s impending election, if confirmed, would represent a popular rejection of this authoritarian nostalgia.

His language is explicit. “There will be no return to the past,” he declared at a recent rally. “This country is built on the sacrifices of those who fought for democracy. We will not betray that legacy.”

Uncertainties and Opposition

Yet Lee’s path is not without obstacles. Critics point to his past legal troubles, including allegations of abuse of power during his governorship. Though he has denied wrongdoing and avoided conviction, questions about his temperament and judgment remain.

There is also concern about how conservative elements within the bureaucracy, judiciary, and armed forces will respond to his presidency. Some fear friction between a reformist executive and entrenched institutions could lead to gridlock—or worse, covert resistance. Business elites, too, are watching nervously, wary of Lee’s past clashes with corporate giants.

Still, analysts note that Lee has shown signs of strategic moderation. His outreach to business leaders, cautious tone on foreign policy, and pragmatic approach to economic reform all suggest he is preparing for governance rather than confrontation.

A Defining Election

As the final votes near, it is clear that this election is not just about personalities or policies. It is about the kind of political culture South Koreans want to live under. Lee Jae-myung’s rise is as much a reaction to past overreach as it is a vision for future change.

Should he win, his presidency will begin with the enormous task of rebuilding trust—not just in government, but in the democratic project itself. The ghosts of authoritarianism may still linger, but for now, South Korean voters seem ready to put them behind.

Author: Ricardo Goulart