Book Review: ‘Lee Jae-myung, the End of the Insurrection’ by Kim Sang-woo and Baek Seung-dae 📖

This is a book review of ‘Lee Jae-myung, the End of the Insurrection’ by Kim Sang-woo and Baek Seung-dae.

The ‘Revolution of Light’ ✨

The book delves into the tumultuous events surrounding the alleged insurrection and the subsequent citizen resistance, which the authors term the ‘Revolution of Light.’ It highlights Lee Jae-myung’s role in these events and his broader political journey.

Key Points and Analysis 🔍

• The Insurrection: The book recounts the declaration of martial law and the public’s response, including the gathering of citizens at the National Assembly.
• Citizen Resistance: It emphasizes the role of ordinary citizens in resisting the martial law forces and supporting the National Assembly members.
• Political Maneuvering: The authors discuss the impeachment attempt against President Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung’s political positioning, including his emphasis on pragmatism and his description of the Democratic Party as ‘center-conservative.’
• Lee Jae-myung’s Background: The book touches on Lee Jae-myung’s humble beginnings, including the uncertainty around his actual birth date and his family’s struggles.

Key Quotes from the Book 📝

• “Yoon Seok-yeol tried to kill Lee Jae-myung judicially, and far-right forces tried to kill Lee Jae-myung physically. When this didn’t work, they tried to arrest and kill him through martial law. But Lee Jae-myung survived.”
• “Whether it’s a progressive policy or a conservative policy, let’s mobilize any useful prescription. I will accept any policy if it is useful for a world where we all live well together.”
• “The Democratic Party is a center-conservative party that values growth. The People Power Party is becoming far-right conservative or almost a criminal party.”

The Author’s Perspective ✍️

The reviewer reflects on the book’s portrayal of Lee Jae-myung’s vision and expresses curiosity about how he will implement the desires of the citizens who led the ‘Revolution of Light.’ The authors frame the upcoming early presidential election as a battle between far-right forces and democratic forces.

Additional Korean Context 🌏

• 먹사니즘 (Meoksa-nism): This term, which translates to ‘eating well-ism,’ refers to the idea of ensuring everyone has enough to eat. The book introduces the concept of ‘Jalsa-nism,’ which means ‘living well-ism’ or ‘living with dignity-ism,’ emphasizing not just basic sustenance but a higher quality of life.