Democratic Party Officially Proposes Joint Campaign Chairmanship and Jongno Candidacy to Lee Nak-yeon

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon is answering questions from reporters after paying his respects at the funeral hall of the late Shin Kyuk-ho, Honorary Chairman of Lotte Group, set up at Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 20th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The Democratic Party of Korea has officially proposed to former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon the joint co-chairmanship of the election campaign committee for the upcoming general election and candidacy for Jongno, Seoul.

Hong Ik-pyo, the senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters on the 22nd, "Representative Lee Hae-chan proposed today to former Prime Minister Lee the joint co-chairmanship of the campaign committee and candidacy for Jongno, Seoul."

It was reported that Representative Lee met former Prime Minister Lee at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, during the Democratic Party's training session for current and former lawmakers running in the general election, and made this proposal.

Senior spokesperson Hong said, "Former Prime Minister Lee responded that he would positively consider Representative Lee's proposal," adding, "He is expected to convey his position by tomorrow at the latest."

He explained, "The formation of the campaign committee is likely to proceed soon after the Lunar New Year," and added, "Representative Lee will take the most important position as the standing co-chairman, with former Prime Minister Lee jointly leading in a two-top system." He continued, "After the Lunar New Year, we plan to announce key organizations, including joint co-chairmen, as soon as possible to accelerate the launch of the campaign committee."

Regarding former Prime Minister Lee's candidacy for Jongno, he said, "Jongno is commonly called the political number one district, where many presidential candidates have challenged and presidents have emerged," and added, "Former Prime Minister Lee is currently one of the leading presidential candidates within the party, and the party believes it is better to have him run in Jongno rather than hesitating about who the opposing candidate might be. This is Representative Lee's judgment."