Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Ruling camp musters big names for support in election
Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, second from right, and party leaders wave hands to travelers heading back home for the Lunar New Year holiday at Yongsan Station in central Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is looking to its bigwigs to run in constituencies that the party sees as strategically important to outstrip its rival parties in the April 15 general election.
The ruling party has so far asked former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon to run in central Seoul’s Jongno District, and ex-South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Doo-kwan to run in Yangsan-A — a provincial constituency.
The party has also been requesting former presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok to re-consider his decision not to run in the elections. Some officials said Im should compete in the Gwangjin-B constituency where former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon will seek a seat for the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP).
On Thursday, Lee agreed to run in Jongno — the country’s most “sought-after” district — after stepping down as the prime minister and joining the party, Jan. 15.
Lee has also accepted the party’s call to serve as co-chairman of its election campaign committee.
Serving for two years and eight months, Lee was the longest-serving prime minister since the country established its current political system in 1987.
The Jongno district was represented by Chung Sye-kyun, who was National Assembly speaker before replacing Lee as prime minister.
The LKP is believed to be heavily debating who should compete against Lee. One possible candidate is LKP Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn who was also a prime minister under ousted former President Park Geun-hye.
“It’s an honor to continue my career as a politician in Jongno — the symbol of the Republic of Korea’s politics,” Lee told reporters at Yongsan Station, Thursday, where he and the DPK leadership greeted travelers heading home for the Lunar New Year holiday. “At the same time, I am burdened by being responsible as a candidate and a head of the election campaign. But I will certainly accept those responsibilities.”
Kim was the governor of South Gyeongsang Province from 2010 to 2012, before being elected as a DPK lawmaker in Gimpo-A district in Gyeonggi Province.
South Gyeongsang Province has been a stronghold of conservative parties for the most part, but the DPK expects Kim to “play a central role” in wooing voters in the region.
Kim accepted the party’s call, Thursday, to run in Yangsan-A.
He will also oversee the election campaign area encompassing Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province.
“I know this is hard, but I have decided to follow the party’s order,” he said, adding he will make “every effort” for the DPK to win more than half of the Assembly seats assigned to the province.
Also a former lawmaker, Im announced he would leave politics after serving as chief of staff for President Moon Jae-in from 2017 to 2019.
However, he delivered a TV speech on DPK policy, Jan 21, fueling speculation he may soon join the party.
“Im is undecided about running in the election, but he may change his mind if we convince him to reconsider,” a party official said.