 |
| Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon speaks at church La Compania de Jesus in Quito, Ecuador, May 7. Yonhap |
By Park Ji-won
Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon showed his willingness to help the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) reach victory in the general election in 2020, amid rumors he would run in the race.
When asked about his role in next year's elections in April, Lee reportedly said on Wednesday "As a member of the government and ruling party, I will play a role if I'm asked to do so." His remarks were made in Quito in Ecuador during his five-day tour of South America.
He added that "It is inappropriate for the incumbent prime minister to define the meaning of the general elections. But what I can say is I share a similar perspective with [the ruling camp]. The election is important."
He made such remarks for the first time since he took the office in 2017. He has been declining to answer questions about his next steps in the political scene citing his position as the prime minister.
There have been rumors that he will run in the general election in 2020 or the presidential election in 2022 backed by his high support rating. According to a poll, Lee is considered one of the most popular presidential candidates along with former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, chairman of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party.
![[INTERVIEW] 'Now is time for Koreans to unlock potential in Africa'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/9236a17d88ea472b862b237c9788069d.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Meet the man behind giant rubber ducks that once took over Seoul](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/df32c60c8204448e98ccdb9841366bec.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
