Lee Jae-myung election momentum shows no sign of slowing, even after the Supreme Court overturned his earlier acquittal for election law violations. Polls released this week show the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate pulling ahead of conservative rivals. Gallup Korea reported Lee at 49 percent in a three-way race, widening the gap with Kim Moon-soo and Lee Jun-seok. In another poll, Korea Research found Lee leading with 55 percent support, again showing a comfortable margin. His team now leans into a message of resilience and justice.
Analysts believe Lee Jae-myung election momentum remains strong due to solid support from centrist and undecided voters. A recent meta-analysis by Hankyoreh and STI revealed that Lee’s backing rose three points in a week. Over half of centrist respondents now say they plan to vote for him, regardless of the conservative alternative. The Supreme Court ruling has not shaken confidence in his campaign. Instead, it appears to have strengthened his image as a political underdog.
Lee has leaned into this image, drawing comparisons to past figures who faced politically motivated charges. During a visit to Okcheon in North Chungcheong Province, he referenced trials faced by Cho Bong-am and former President Kim Dae-jung. He told voters that the public has always defended democracy during times of crisis. His speeches now frame the election as a battle between justice and entrenched power. Lee Jae-myung election momentum grows as he embraces grassroots engagement.
On the campaign trail, Lee unveiled youth-focused policies to secure support from younger generations. He promised tax-incentivized savings accounts and lower cryptocurrency fees. He also pledged expanded subsidies for job-seekers and new housing support for young renters. Lee wants military service to count toward pensions and public pay grades. Additionally, he pushed for broader student loan relief and fairer medical school reforms.
Meanwhile, the conservative People Power Party (PPP) faces growing internal rifts. Its candidate, Kim Moon-soo, struggles to consolidate support amid calls to back Han Duck-soo instead. A Realmeter poll found 59 percent of PPP supporters preferred Han as the unified conservative candidate. Among all voters, Han outperformed Kim in head-to-head scenarios against Lee. Nevertheless, Lee Jae-myung election momentum remained strong across every major polling configuration.
Even in two-way races, Lee consistently leads by wide margins. A YTN-Embrain poll showed him beating Kim by 16 points and Han by 11 points. DPK strategist Rep. Cheon Jun-ho said support has held steady since the PPP’s primary concluded. Candidate registration ends Sunday, with official campaigning to begin soon after. While surprises remain possible, Lee’s commanding lead now sets the tone for South Korea’s election race.
