By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Former lawmaker Lee Jae-oh, known as President Lee Myung-bak's right-hand man, has said he will return home soon.
In a New Year message posted on a blog run by his supporters, Lee made clear that he will come back to Korea after the trips to South America, Africa and Asia.
This is the first time he's clarified the timing of his return.
The former lawmaker left for Washington D.C. after losing in the National Assembly election last April to pursue a non-degree program at Johns Hopkins University.
``I'll see you there, embrace people and make a difference for Korea,'' said Lee in the message.
Lee stated he'd learned about the world and designed Korea's future during his stay in Washington, presenting three goals that are needed for the nation's management; transparency, fair competition and public happiness.
Political analysts say he may come back sometime in March, ahead of by-elections in April.
Lee was defeated in Assembly elections in an Eunpyeong district in Seoul by Renewal of Korea Party (ROKP) candidate Moon Kook-hyun, who is now on trial for receiving 600 million won (approximately $458,000) from a lawmaker hopeful in return for putting his name on the list of ROKP proportional representation candidates, a district court ruled last December.
Moon, who is appealing the ruling, said in a recent interview that he doesn't see the court making a decision by election day, April 29.
Lee reportedly flexed his muscled in selecting governing Grand National Party (GNP) candidates to run in the elections, in which many then-incumbent lawmakers who were close to Rep. Park Geun-hye were eliminated.
They formed the Pro-Park Geun-hye Coalition and many remained in politics after winning seats.