Jim Rogers Never Endorsed Lee Jae-myung: The Truth Behind the Political Controversy Shaking Korea

What Really Happened: Did Jim Rogers Endorse Lee Jae-myung?

Did you know that one of the hottest debates in Korea right now is whether Jim Rogers, the world-famous investor, actually endorsed presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung? Over the past week, Korean media and political circles have been in a frenzy over this supposed endorsement. But as of June 2, 2025, the facts show that Jim Rogers never made a clear, official declaration of support for Lee. Instead, a muddled sequence of statements, translations, and political maneuvering created a storm of confusion that’s still rocking the Korean internet.
So, how did this all start? On May 29, members of Lee Jae-myung’s campaign held a press conference at the National Assembly, reading what they claimed was a statement from Jim Rogers supporting Lee for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. Lee himself posted about it on Facebook, and major news outlets quickly spread the story. But within hours, doubts started to surface as Rogers denied ever making such a declaration, calling the announcement a “complete fraud” in some reports. The result? A full-blown political scandal with both sides accusing each other of deception and manipulation.

Breaking Down the Conflicting Statements

Here’s where things get tricky. According to statements from Lee’s camp, the endorsement was coordinated by Kim Jin-hyang (former Kaesong Industrial Complex director) and Professor Song Kyung-ho in the UK, who communicated with Jim Rogers via WeChat. Kim insisted that Rogers approved a statement supporting Lee, but later admitted there was confusion in the translation and final wording. The original message from Rogers, as revealed by Professor Song, was actually much more neutral. Rogers said he recognized Lee’s pragmatic approach but also admitted, 'I don’t know Lee Jae-myung very well.'
Despite this, the version released by Lee’s campaign included direct support phrases like 'So now, the choice is Lee Jae-myung,' which were not present in the original text. This gap between the authorized message and the public announcement fueled accusations of manipulation and misrepresentation.

How the Media and Political Parties Reacted

The Korean media landscape exploded with coverage, analysis, and opinion pieces. Conservative outlets and rival parties, like the People Power Party and the Reform Party, immediately condemned Lee’s campaign for what they called 'international fraud' and 'public deception.' They held emergency press conferences, demanding accountability and warning that such incidents could damage Korea’s reputation on the world stage.
Progressive voices and Lee’s supporters, on the other hand, argued that the confusion was due to translation errors and that Rogers’ general support for peace on the Korean Peninsula was being misrepresented as a political endorsement. Some commentators pointed out that Rogers has long been interested in North Korea’s economic potential, but has never shown a personal preference for any Korean politician.

What Korean Communities Are Saying Online

If you check out Korean online communities like DC Inside, FM Korea, Theqoo, Nate Pann, Instiz, and Naver, you’ll see thousands of comments dissecting every detail of the scandal. On Theqoo, one top comment reads, 'How can a global investor’s words be twisted like this? This is embarrassing.' On FM Korea, users joked, 'Did Lee Jae-myung just get catfished by his own staff?' Meanwhile, some Naver blog posts, like those from issac140 and jjubika1, argue that the real issue is the lack of transparency in political communications.
There are also defenders of Lee, especially on Instiz and Daum, who say the opposition is blowing things out of proportion for political gain. Still, the overwhelming mood is one of skepticism and frustration, with many users demanding a full explanation from both the campaign and the media.

Cultural Insight: Why Are International Endorsements Such a Big Deal in Korea?

For international readers, you might wonder why a foreign investor’s opinion matters so much in a Korean election. In Korea, endorsements from global figures are often seen as a sign of legitimacy and international recognition. Jim Rogers, as a legendary investor and co-founder of the Quantum Fund, carries enormous weight in financial and political circles. His past comments about investing in North Korea and the Korean Peninsula have been widely covered and sometimes politicized.
This context makes the alleged endorsement even more explosive. It’s not just about Lee Jae-myung or Jim Rogers—it’s about how Korean society values international validation and how political campaigns try to leverage that for domestic advantage. The scandal also reflects broader anxieties about fake news, media manipulation, and the role of social media in shaping public opinion.

What the Latest News and Blogs Reveal

Recent articles from major outlets like Chosun Ilbo, JoongAng Ilbo, JTBC, News1, Newsis, and The Korea Herald all confirm that Jim Rogers did not issue a direct endorsement of Lee Jae-myung. Instead, they highlight the discrepancies between the original message and the campaign’s announcement. Blogs on Naver, such as those by reviewandreview, ecoda95, and chuan46, dig into the timeline and the translation issues, with some bloggers even posting screenshots of the WeChat conversations.
These sources agree that while Rogers has spoken positively about Korea’s economic potential and the importance of peace, he never authorized the specific language used by Lee’s campaign. The controversy, therefore, is less about Rogers’ actual views and more about how his words were interpreted and presented to the public.

International Fans: What You Should Know

If you’re following Korean politics from abroad, this story is a perfect example of how global figures can get caught up in local political battles. It also shows how quickly misinformation can spread, especially in the age of social media and instant news. Jim Rogers remains interested in the Korean Peninsula, particularly its potential for economic growth if peace is achieved. However, as of June 2, 2025, he has not endorsed any Korean political candidate, including Lee Jae-myung.
For fans of Korean culture and politics, this episode is a reminder to always check the original sources and be wary of sensational headlines. The debate over Rogers’ supposed endorsement is likely to continue, but the facts are now clear: there was no official, direct support from Jim Rogers for Lee Jae-myung.

Community Reactions: Representative Comments

Let’s take a look at some representative reactions from Korean online communities:
Positive: 'It’s understandable that Rogers supports peace, but using his name for political gain is wrong.' (Naver Blog)
Negative: 'This is just another example of politicians twisting the truth. How can we trust any of them?' (DC Inside)
Neutral: 'The translation issue is real, but both sides are using it for their own agenda.' (FM Korea)
These comments show a wide range of opinions, with most netizens expressing disappointment at the lack of transparency and the politicization of international voices.

Conclusion: Lessons from the Jim Rogers–Lee Jae-myung Endorsement Scandal

So, what can we learn from this controversy? First, international endorsements are powerful but also risky—they can easily be misunderstood or misrepresented. Second, in the digital age, every statement is scrutinized and amplified, making transparency more important than ever. Finally, this episode is a wake-up call for both politicians and the public to demand clearer communication and to avoid jumping to conclusions based on incomplete information.
As the Korean presidential election approaches, expect more twists and turns. But remember: not everything you read is as it seems, especially when global names and local politics collide.