[Exclusive] Lee Kwang-jae Decides to Run... "Official Announcement Around Samiljeol at Gangwon Provincial Office, Will Follow Party Decision"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Former Gangwon Province Governor and Democratic Party member Lee Kwang-jae is expected to officially announce his intention to run in the Gangwon region for the general election around March 1st, the Independence Movement Day. He has stated that he will leave the specific constituency decision entirely to the party.

On the 27th, a Democratic Party official close to Lee said, "Lee plans to officially announce his position either this Sunday or Monday," adding, "The party had requested him to run, but he took a long time to consider it. Now, he has decided to leave it to the party, meaning he will accept whatever decision the party makes."

He continued, "Since Lee is serving as the head of the Democratic Party's Gangwon regional election committee, the announcement will be made at the Gangwon Provincial Office targeting reporters."

When Lee met with reporters on the 20th and was asked about running in the general election, he said, "I have many shortcomings and flaws," and "There are many politicians; I really don't know (whether I will run)."

The expected constituencies for his candidacy include Wonju Gap, Gangneung, and the combined district of Taebaek·Hoengseong·Yeongwol·Pyeongchang·Jeongseon. Lee was born in Pyeongchang, attended middle and high school in Wonju, and was elected twice as a member of the National Assembly representing the Taebaek·Hoengseong·Yeongwol·Pyeongchang·Jeongseon district. Among these, Wonju Gap is widely considered the most likely.

On the 19th, members of the Gangwon Provincial Council and Wonju City Council from the Democratic Party submitted a petition to the central party urging Lee to run in Wonju Gap. They argued, "In a situation where most areas of Gangwon show a close race, a symbolic candidate to lead the election is needed." In response, Democratic Party Wonju Gap preliminary candidate Kwon Seong-jung said, "If Lee is given a strategic nomination, I will risk my political life and resist unfair treatment such as running as an independent," and preliminary candidate Park Woo-soon also raised his voice, saying, "Of course, there should be a primary."

Considering these circumstances, it is interpreted that Lee has decided to follow the party's decision regarding both the constituency and whether a primary will be held.

Lee is one of the symbolic figures to whom the Democratic Party intends to assign a significant role in this general election strategy. Previously, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan was sent to Yangsan in Gyeongnam instead of Gimpo Gap and appointed as the head of the Gyeongnam election committee. Former Blue House Chief of Staff Lim Jong-seok, who was intended to be a symbol of Honam, declined to participate in the general election.

Lee was involved in student activism while attending Yonsei University, served as an aide to former President Roh Moo-hyun during his time as a lawmaker, was the head of the Blue House National Situation Room during the Roh administration, served as a member of the 17th and 18th National Assembly, and was governor of Gangwon Province. He is a core figure of the pro-Roh (pro-Roh Moo-hyun) group, so much so that he is called 'Woo Kwang-jae, Jwa Hee-jung.'

In 2011, he was sentenced to six months in prison with a one-year suspended sentence and a 10-year disqualification from running for office for illegal political fund charges, but he was reinstated by a special presidential pardon at the end of last year.