Lee Jae-myung has reframed himself as a “centrist-conservative” in the 2025 presidential race, softening the progressive image that once defined his political identity.

The former Democratic Party (DP) leader officially launched his third presidential bid last week, following previous campaigns in 2017 and 2021. A comparison of his speeches over these three cycles reveals a deliberate rhetorical shift.

Lee has moved away from ideological confrontation and detailed redistributive policies, and toward language focused on national resilience, economic competitiveness and institutional stability.

This pivot follows former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial law declaration in December and his subsequent impeachment and