Lee Jae-myung, the liberal South Korean politician favoured to become the country's next leader, has overcome a knife attack, martial law and criminal charges on his unexpected path back toward the presidency.

Lee Jae-myung, a liberal who wants greater economic parity in South Korea and warmer ties with North Korea, became the main opposition party's presidential candidate Sunday, solidifying his position as front-runner to succeed recently ousted conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol.

South Korea’s main liberal opposition party tapped Sunday its former leader Lee Jae-myung as presidential candidate in the upcoming June 3 vote. The Democratic Party said Lee has won nearly 90% of the votes cast during the party’s primary that ended Sunday,