<br><br>**Title** South Korea's Opposition Picks Poll Favorite Lee Jae-myung Leads Democratic Party in Presidential Race<br><br>As South Korea prepares for its snap presidential election on June 3, the country's main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), has named its candidate Lee Jae-myung. The 61-year-old lawyer-turned-politician has been leading opinion polls with a commanding double-digit gap over contestants from the conservative People Power Party.<br><br>Lee's remarkable rise to prominence began when he steered the DPK to a landslide victory in a parliamentary election in 2024, followed by an easy win in regional primaries. His momentum has been unstoppable, making him the clear favorite to win the presidential election.<br><br>However, Lee's path to the presidency hasn't been without controversy. He lost the last presidential election in 2022 by the narrowest margin in South Korea's democratic history. That election was won by Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached by the Constitutional Court earlier this month over his short-lived imposition of martial law.<br><br>Lee has been a vocal critic of Yoon's government and was among the lawmakers who rushed to the National Assembly on the night of Yoon's December 3 martial law declaration to ensure parliament voted down the military order. His activism has earned him both admiration and criticism, with some praising his willingness to take risks and others criticizing his perceived lack of subtlety.<br><br>Despite facing several trials related to bribery and a $1-billion property development scandal, Lee remains a force to be reckoned with in South Korean politics. As he takes on the role of presidential candidate, he brings with him a wealth of experience, having served as mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province, the most populous province in the country.<br><br>In the lead-up to the election, Lee will need to navigate the complexities of South Korea's political landscape. With opinion polls indicating that he is well ahead of his competitors, he may be tempted to coast on his momentum. However, as any seasoned politician knows, complacency can be a fatal mistake.<br><br>As the election draws near, it remains to be seen how Lee's opponents will respond to his dominant position in the polls. Will they try to decimate his lead by launching a last-minute smear campaign? Or will they focus on building their own momentum and hoping that Lee's popularity eventually wanes?<br><br>One thing is certain this presidential election promises to be one for the ages, with Lee Jae-myung at its center. As South Korea's main opposition party, the DPK has staked its reputation on his candidacy. Will he prove himself a worthy leader, or will his opponents manage to decimate his lead and send him packing? Only time will tell.<br><br>**Keywords** South Korea, presidential election, Lee Jae-myung, Democratic Party of Korea, People Power Party, Yoon Suk Yeol, martial law, political landscape, smear campaign.
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