The revolution of light is ultimately led by the people.
How can I live without that certainty?

Forging a New Path in Crisis
Lee Jae-myung's Life and Political Philosophy

“It’s been a while since I’ve published a book.
This book contains my political life, political philosophy, and the future of our country that I dream of.
I ask myself a question every morning.
What is politics?
What should Lee Jae-myung's politics be like?
This book is a song of hope, offered by Lee Jae-myung, who has walked the political path with these questions in mind, to the people, the true owners of the Republic of Korea.
- In the preface

"In the end, the people decide" talks about the life and political philosophy of politician Lee Jae-myung, and the direction that the Republic of Korea should take after suppressing the civil war and welcoming a new spring.
This book compiles the words and writings of politician Lee Jae-myung and consists of five chapters.
From the declaration and lifting of martial law on December 3rd, the impeachment of Yoon Seok-yeol, and the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial and dismissal, we have selected key messages from among the emergency statements, press conference statements, and top-level remarks issued during these tense times, and included brief reflections and positions.
Additionally, the core content was reconstructed based on interviews conducted with Oh My TV and others.
It faithfully captures Lee Jae-myung's life, political philosophy, and his thoughts on the Republic of Korea he wants to create together with the people.
Regarding the reason for publishing this book, author Lee Jae-myung, former representative, stated, “It is because I felt the need to record the ‘Revolution of Light’ of the great people who resisted the civil war and saved democracy, as well as the efforts of our Democratic Party.”

“What?” My wife handed me her phone, completely incredulous.
President Yoon Seok-yeol appeared on the broadcast screen and said something.
Martial law? You want me to believe this? "This is a deepfake."
“It’s fake news.” My wife looked puzzled as I laughed it off.
I also saw the breaking news subtitle, "President Yoon declares martial law," but when the leader of the largest party in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea called it "fake news," I felt confused about which side to believe.
Maybe my mind was confused and that's why my wife's face looked like that.

--- p.16

“We must gather at the National Assembly now.” This was the message left by Democratic Party lawmaker Chun Jun-ho at 10:29.
The time President Yoon Seok-yeol appeared on TV and began declaring martial law was 10:28, so the content was uploaded one minute later.
Democratic Party Secretary-General Kim Yoon-deok also posted at 10:33 a.m., “This is an emergency situation.”
A single word came out without me even knowing it.
“This is crazy.”
--- p.17

“Please join forces.
I can't believe it either.
I quickly got dressed and left the house, afraid that armed soldiers would burst into the house.
Dear citizens, I still can't grasp the reality.
It's like a dream.
Can you imagine martial law in the Republic of Korea, a 21st-century advanced nation? This is a real situation.
We must protect democracy.
Citizens, please come to the National Assembly.” This emergency live broadcast, which took place amidst the chaos, had over 200,000 concurrent viewers.
After watching this broadcast, citizens who felt determined to go to the National Assembly and protect democracy headed to Yeouido from all over.
In the end, they saved democracy.

--- p.25

It was because of the citizens of Gwangju in 1980 who risked their lives to protect democracy that the citizens who blocked the armored vehicles heading to the National Assembly on the night of the civil war on December 3, 2024 were able to do so.
Our democratic history continues like this.
The people of the Republic of Korea are truly great.

--- p.31

One chance has come.
I received a report that “the number of Democratic Party members alone exceeded 151.”
At the same time, I heard that it was possible to enter the main conference hall through an underground passage from the National Assembly Building.
First, I came out of the forest, got into Rep. Han Jun-ho's car, and went to the underground parking lot of the National Assembly building.
We entered the underground passage in three groups, with a team to monitor the situation in front and a security team to mark the rear.
We began to advance through the underground passage toward the National Assembly building where the main conference hall was located.
Looking back, I think that was the most dangerous moment.

--- p.40

The sovereign people's impeachment order has shaken some People Power Party lawmakers.
In this process, the then People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon also played a role.
Former Representative Han Dong-hoon quickly made his opposition clear when President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law on the night of December 3rd, and after a few twists and turns in the following days, he ultimately voted in favor of impeachment.
It may have been an awkward position within the party, but by making the difficult decision to oppose martial law and support impeachment, it was a dedication that will be remembered in history.

--- p.54

My questions about the Yoon Seok-yeol administration piled up.
Why is it like this? Why is it so outrageous? Why does it close the door to all compromises and insist on a politics of exclusion and seclusion? Watching these seemingly incomprehensible events unfold one after another, I've come to the conclusion that this administration's only path forward is to dream of perpetual power.
A representative sign appeared during the National Assembly confirmation hearing for Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo.
It was completely different from the previous hearing.
The ministerial candidate himself seemed determined to reveal his extreme right-wing tendencies, like a champion of ideology.

--- p.58

I believe in the greatness of our people.
I always keep in mind the saying, 'In the end, politics is done by the people.'
I've said this in every major speech I've ever given.
“Even if it seems like politicians are in charge of politics, in the end it is the people who do it.” This is also a mantra I give to myself.
Without this belief, it would have been difficult to endure the harsh and harsh reality.
In reality, the people are great, and history has progressed in accordance with the will of the people.
Otherwise, if I didn't have that faith, how could I have survived these terrible times?

--- p.160

In 2025, South Korea stands at a historic turning point.
We must prepare for the social crisis brought about by the new scientific and technological advancements through a universal basic society.
By taking responsibility for the basic needs of our people in all areas of life, including housing, finance, education, healthcare, and public services, our community must reduce future anxiety and pave the way for sustainable growth.
To solve these challenges, ‘recovery and growth’ must be a prerequisite.
To create hope and ease conflict and confrontation, we must expand the nest and grow the pie.
Recovery and growth are prerequisites for a better tomorrow.
"Fair growth," which creates new growth engines and shares the opportunities and outcomes of growth, will open the door to a better world.

--- p.203

Individual stock investors are called 'ants'.
I was once an ant too.
I ended up throwing my money into small, high-risk, high-return 'junk stocks' and ended up losing money.
A significant number of South Korean stock investors are moving into overseas stock markets.
This is because 'Director' is not only not profitable, but there are persistent suspicions that a small number of people are monopolizing profits through unfair and unreasonable means.
The prominent "Korea discount" phenomenon in the stock market is largely due to the absence of economic policy, unfair markets, abuse of control, and security crises.
These are usually problems that can be solved if the government has the will to improve the system.
This is also the reason why the Democratic Party is actively pursuing revisions to the Commercial Act.

--- p.252

In fact, all political changes, even if they appear to be made by those in power, have actually always been made by the people, the masses.
You, the people, are the starting point of new change and the seeds of new hope.
He is the master of this country and the master of history.
Thanks to the dedication of the sovereign citizens, Lee Jae-myung is alive, the Democratic Party is alive, and new hope has emerged for democracy in this country.
I want to be a politician who gives hope to our people.
But the hope I want to give actually comes from our people.
I believe in the greatness of our people.
I really believe it.
So, I have always said this when I meet with the people.
“Even though it may seem like politicians do politics, it is ultimately the people who do it.”

--- p.304