1. Early Life and Education
Lee Ki-taek was born on 25 July 1937, in Youngil County, Keishōhoku-dō, Korea under Japanese rule, which is now part of Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. He was the second son of a sinologist, and his family belonged to the 영천 이씨Yeongcheon Yi-ssiKorean. In 1950, due to the outbreak of the Korean War, his family relocated to Busan.
He completed his secondary education at Busan Commercial High School, now known as Kaesong High School. He then pursued higher education at Korea University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in commerce and subsequently a master's degree in business administration. During his time at Korea University, Lee Ki-taek served as the President of the Student Council. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in leading student protests against the widespread election fraud perpetrated by President Syngman Rhee and his Freedom Party (South Korea) during the March 1960 South Korean presidential election. These protests were a significant catalyst for the April Revolution, which ultimately led to the collapse of the First Republic government. His experiences in student activism deeply shaped his lifelong commitment to democracy and human rights. In 1961, following his graduation, he served as the Division Chief for South Gyeongsang Province within the Democratic Youth Committee. Lee Ki-taek also worked as a founding member of Taekwang Industry, a company managed by his brother-in-law, Lee Im-yong, and his elder sister, Lee Seon-ae, after graduating from Korea University.
2. Political Career
Lee Ki-taek's political career spanned several transformative periods in South Korean history, marked by his consistent role as an opposition figure and his involvement in critical democratic movements and party realignments.
2.1. Early Political Activities (1960s-1970s)
Lee Ki-taek entered politics in 1967 when he was brought into the New Democratic Party (NDP) by its then-chairman, Yoo Jin-oh, who had also been his mentor during his university years. In the 1967 South Korean legislative election, he successfully ran as the 14th candidate on the NDP's proportional representation list, becoming the youngest Member of the National Assembly at the age of 30.
During his initial terms, Lee quickly established himself as a vocal opposition figure. In 1969, he formed and led the Pan-Youth Resistance Committee within the NDP, which actively protested against the constitutional amendment proposed by President Park Chung Hee and his ruling Democratic Republican Party. This amendment aimed to allow the president to serve a maximum of three terms, an increase from the original two-term limit. In the 1971 South Korean legislative election, he shifted his constituency to Dongnae District 2nd constituency (also known as Busan 3rd constituency) and won re-election. He was continuously elected from the newly formed Dongnae District constituency in the 1973 South Korean legislative election and the 1978 South Korean legislative election, securing a total of four consecutive terms.
Lee Ki-taek was also a notable critic of Kim Young-sam, who was elected as the NDP's chairman in 1974. In the 1976 New Democratic Party (South Korea) leadership election, Lee endorsed Lee Cheol-seung, an advocate for a more moderate stance against the government. Lee Cheol-seung successfully defeated Kim Young-sam to become the new party president, and subsequently appointed Lee Ki-taek as the party's secretary-general, making him the youngest person to hold such a senior position at 39. However, their relationship soon became estranged.
In May 1979, Lee Ki-taek ran for the NDP chairmanship in the 1979 New Democratic Party (South Korea) leadership election. In the first round of voting, he received 17.8% of the votes, placing third behind Lee Cheol-seung (292 votes) and Kim Young-sam (267 votes), and was eliminated. For the second round, he surprisingly endorsed Kim Young-sam, who narrowly defeated Lee Cheol-seung (378 votes to 367 votes). Following his victory, Kim Young-sam appointed Lee Ki-taek as deputy chairman of the party, further solidifying his position as a rising leader within the opposition.
2.2. Political Ban and Exile (1980s)
The political landscape dramatically shifted following the Park Chung-hee assassination in October 1979. In 1980, with the rise of the New Military faction led by Chun Doo-hwan after the Coup d'état of December Twelfth and the Gwangju Uprising, Lee Ki-taek was targeted by the "Political Wind Purification Act," which banned many veteran politicians from political activities. As a result, he was unable to run in the 1981 South Korean legislative election, and his former constituency was taken over by his secretary, Park Kwan-yong, and Kim Jin-jae.
During this period of political prohibition, Lee Ki-taek moved to the United States, where he served as a visiting professor at the University of Pennsylvania in 1982. However, he returned to South Korea on May 19, 1983, one day after former NDP president Kim Young-sam began a hunger strike demanding political freedoms.
2.3. Return to Politics and Opposition Leadership (Mid-1980s)
When the political ban was lifted in 1984, Lee Ki-taek swiftly re-entered the political arena. He joined the New Korea and Democratic Party (NKDP), which was formed by prominent democratic figures including Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung. Although he initially intended to run in his former Dongnae District constituency for the 1985 South Korean legislative election, the seat was already held by Park Kwan-young, who had been elected under the Democratic Korea Party banner in 1981 and subsequently joined the NKDP. Lee then decided to run for the Haeundae and South District constituency in Busan, successfully returning to the National Assembly.
He served as Deputy Chairman under Lee Min-woo, who was elected chairman in the 1985 New Korea and Democratic Party leadership election. The NKDP soon faced internal conflicts, particularly after Lee Min-woo proposed his "Lee Min-woo Plan," which supported a parliamentary system of government. This proposal was vehemently opposed by Kim Young-sam (YS) and Kim Dae-jung (DJ), who advocated for maintaining the existing presidential system but insisted on the direct election of the president.
On April 21, 1987, both Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung, along with their respective factions, departed from the NKDP and established the United Democratic Party (UDP). Lee Ki-taek was initially hesitant to join the UDP due to the split between the "Two Kims" (Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung) and the subsequent formation of the Peace Democratic Party by Kim Dae-jung, but he eventually joined the UDP following the 29 June Declaration, which saw the ruling party accept direct presidential elections. In response to Chun Doo-hwan's 4.13 Constitutional Protection Measure, Lee Ki-taek engaged in a 15-day hunger strike, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to democracy.
In the 1988 South Korean legislative election, Lee was re-elected for the Haeundae District. He served as Deputy Chairman of the UDP from 1987 to 1989 and also became the parliamentary leader, replacing Seo Seok-jae, in 1989. He chaired the Special Investigative Committee established to probe corruption allegations involving the ruling Democratic Justice Party during the Fifth Republic.
2.4. Party Realignment and Leadership (1990s)
On 22 January 1990, Kim Young-sam, then Chairman of the UDP, declared the party's merger with the ruling Democratic Justice Party and the New Democratic Republican Party, forming the Democratic Liberal Party (DLP). Lee Ki-taek, leading a faction of dissidents within the UDP, staunchly refused to join this "three-party merger." Instead, he, along with several other prominent politicians including Roh Moo-hyun, Kim Jeong-gil, Hong Sa-duk, and Lee Cheol, founded the Democratic Party, commonly referred to as "Little Democrats." Lee became the party's first Chairman.
It was revealed on 4 October 1990 by a defecting soldier, Yoon Seok-yang, that Lee Ki-taek was among 1,300 prominent figures being surveilled by the Defense Security Command under the Roh Tae-woo government. After suffering a significant defeat in the 1991 South Korean local elections, Lee's "Little Democrats" decided to merge with Kim Dae-jung's New Democratic Unionist Party (NDUP), which had been formed by combining Kim Dae-jung's Peace Democratic Party with other opposition and grassroots democratic forces.
On 16 September 1991, the two parties formally merged and re-founded as the new Democratic Party. Both Kim Dae-jung and Lee Ki-taek were elected as co-presidents of the newly unified opposition force. In the 1992 South Korean legislative election, Lee successfully ran on the proportional representation list, securing the second position.
Prior to the 1992 South Korean presidential election, Lee Ki-taek contested the presidential primary on 26 May but was defeated by a wide margin by Kim Dae-jung. Following Kim Dae-jung's loss in the presidential election and his subsequent declaration of retirement from politics in December 1992, Lee Ki-taek became the sole president of the Democratic Party and was re-elected to the position in 1993. As the leader of the main opposition party, he navigated complex internal dynamics, often engaging in power struggles with the Donggyodong faction, which constituted the largest share of the party and remained loyal to Kim Dae-jung.
In early 1995, the Democratic Party absorbed New Korea Party (1992) led by Lee Jong-chan. The party achieved a significant victory in the 1995 South Korean local elections, including winning the Seoul mayorship. However, this success was short-lived as Kim Dae-jung officially returned to politics, reigniting conflicts within the party. Pro-Kim Dae-jung factions, including Kim himself, eventually left the Democratic Party to establish a new party, the National Congress for New Politics (NCNP), on 6 September 1995. This split forced Lee Ki-taek to resign from the party presidency. His remaining faction rebuilt the party as the United Democratic Party (UDP) on 21 December 1995, and Lee was subsequently elected as its chairman.
In the 1996 South Korean legislative election, Lee Ki-taek ran for the Haeundae and Gijang 1st constituency but lost to Kim Woon-hwan of the ruling New Korea Party (NKP), effectively ending his nearly 30-year career as a Member of Parliament. After this defeat, he was elected as the Chairman of the UDP. He continued his attempts to return to the National Assembly, running in the 1997 South Korean by-elections for the North District of Pohang, his hometown, but was defeated by Park Tae-joon. He resigned his chairmanship on 11 September, and Cho Soon, the former Mayor of Seoul, succeeded him.
Under Cho Soon's leadership, the UDP decided to merge with the ruling NKP to overcome its minority status. Both parties formed the Grand National Party (GNP). Most members, including Lee Ki-taek, joined the new party, though some dissidents like Roh Moo-hyun refused. Cho Soon became the GNP chairman. This marked the first time Lee was associated with a *de facto* ruling party, although the GNP was *de jure* an opposition party since President Kim Young-sam had been expelled from the NKP before its merger into the GNP. However, the GNP's presidential candidate, Lee Hoi-chang, lost to Kim Dae-jung of the NCNP, and Lee Ki-taek once again found himself in the opposition. When the GNP lost the 1998 South Korean local elections, Cho Soon resigned, and Lee Ki-taek served as the acting chairman until Lee Hoi-chang was newly elected.
2.5. Later Political Activities (2000s Onwards)
Leading up to the 2000 South Korean legislative election, the GNP faced internal conflicts over candidate preselection, with chairman Lee Hoi-chang excluding many veteran politicians. As a result, Lee Ki-taek, along with other dissidents such as Kim Yoon-hwan, Kim Gwang-il, and Jang Gi-pyo, left the party and established the Democratic National Party (DNP). He was nominated as a parliamentary candidate for Yeonje District in Busan but was defeated by the GNP's Kwon Tae-mang. He was then elected as the DNP's supreme council member.
During the 2002 South Korean presidential election, Lee Ki-taek supported Roh Moo-hyun, the presidential candidate of the Millennium Democratic Party, and actively campaigned for him. He was appointed as a standing advisor to the Millennium Democratic Party's central election headquarters. Roh Moo-hyun won the election and became president, but Lee subsequently expressed critical views of the Participatory Government's policies and declined further political involvement. He did not run as a Member of Parliament in the 2004 South Korean legislative election.
In the 2007 South Korean presidential election, Lee Ki-taek endorsed the Grand National Party's candidate, Lee Myung-bak, and served as a standing advisor to his election committee. Following Lee Myung-bak's victory, Lee Ki-taek rejoined the Grand National Party. On 1 September 2008, he was appointed as the Senior Vice-Chairperson of the National Unification Advisory Council, a presidential advisory body, though this appointment drew some controversy, being perceived by some as a "reward appointment" for his support of Lee Myung-bak. After this, he also participated in various other organizations.
3. Ideology and Political Stance
Lee Ki-taek's political philosophy and stance were largely shaped by his early experiences in student activism and his unwavering commitment to democratic principles, particularly during South Korea's authoritarian eras. He was consistently a leading figure in the opposition, earning a reputation as a "lifelong opposition politician."
He strongly advocated for human rights and political freedom, evident in his leadership of student protests against election fraud in 1960, which ignited the April Revolution. His participation in the democratic movement continued as a Member of the National Assembly, where he actively opposed constitutional amendments aimed at extending presidential terms. He also resisted authoritarian rule by engaging in hunger strikes, demonstrating his resolve against anti-democratic measures such as Chun Doo-hwan's "Political Wind Purification Act."
Throughout his career, Lee Ki-taek was a proponent of direct presidential elections, aligning with figures like Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung against proposals for a parliamentary system, such as the "Lee Min-woo Plan." He notably refused to join the 1990 three-party merger, viewing it as a compromise that would undermine the strength of the opposition and democratic progress. Instead, he championed a unified opposition force, leading the "Little Democrats" and later co-leading the unified Democratic Party with Kim Dae-jung.
While his later political affiliations, such as his support for Lee Myung-bak and rejoining the conservative Grand National Party in the 2000s, suggested a shift or pragmatic approach, his core identity remained rooted in his contributions to South Korea's democratic transition. He was often seen as a potential "post-Three Kims" leader, a testament to his independent political standing and influence within the broader democratic movement.
4. Personal Life
Lee Ki-taek was married to Lee Kyung-ui. Together, they had one son, Lee Sung-ho, and three daughters, Lee Woo-in, Lee Ji-in, and Lee Se-in.
His family had significant ties to Taekwang Industry, a major South Korean conglomerate. The founder and first chairman of Taekwang Group, Lee Im-yong, was Lee Ki-taek's sister's husband. His own brother, Lee Ki-hwa, served as the second chairman of the group, and his nephew, Lee Ho-jin, became the third chairman.
An interesting anecdote connects Lee Ki-taek to popular culture: the name of the protagonist, Kim Ki-taek, played by Song Kang-ho in the critically acclaimed film Parasite, was inspired by Lee Ki-taek.
5. Death and Legacy
Lee Ki-taek passed away on 20 February 2016, at the The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in Seoul, at the age of 78.
Remarkably, the day before his death, he completed his reminiscences, which were posthumously published on 15 September 2017, under the title The Way of a Cow (우행UhaengKorean). This autobiography provides valuable insights into his long and impactful political journey.
His death prompted numerous reflections from political figures on his contributions to South Korean democracy:
- Chung Se-kyun, former Speaker of the National Assembly, commented that Lee "always acted if he needed a belief and impetuousness."
- Moon Hee-sang, another Speaker of the National Assembly, praised his leadership, stating, "His leadership was represented as gentleness. The 'leadership of listening', which broke the stubbornness but also fulfilled the willingness, was absolutely impressive."
- Park Won-soon, the former Mayor of Seoul, highlighted Lee's foundational role: "He led a student movement, which led to the April Revolution. I, as one of his juniors, can now learn the history of South Korean politics deeper by reading his reminiscences."
For his lifelong service and contributions, Lee Ki-taek received several national honors. In 1963, he was awarded the Order of Industrial Service Merit, and in 2011, he received the prestigious Order of Mugunghwa, the highest order of merit of South Korea. His legacy is one of unwavering commitment to democratic values, a consistent voice for the opposition, and a pivotal figure in the complex political transformations of South Korea.
6. Election Results
Lee Ki-taek participated in numerous elections throughout his political career, serving multiple terms as a Member of the National Assembly. His electoral history reflects his long-standing presence in South Korean politics:
| Year | Constituency | Political party | Votes (%) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Proportional (14th) | NDP | 32.70% | Won |
| 1971 | Dongnae (2nd) | NDP | 65.89% | Won |
| 1973 | Dongnae | NDP | 39.23% | Won |
| 1978 | Dongnae | NDP | 40.14% | Won |
| 1985 | South & Haeundae | NKDP | 43.00% | Won |
| 1988 | Haeundae | UDP | 58.30% | Won |
| 1992 | Proportional (2nd) | Democratic | 29.20% | Won |
| 1996 | Haeundae & Gijang | UDP | 47.65% | Lost |
| 1997 | Pohang North | UDP | 28.33% | Lost |
| 2000 | Yeonje | DNP | 26.53% | Lost |