Lee Nak-yeon, Standing Election Committee Chair of the Democratic Party, to Serve as Sponsorship Chairman for Candidate Jo Jae-hee of Songpa Gap

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Lee Nak-yeon, the Standing Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 5th that he will serve as the chairman of the support committee for Cho Jae-hee, the candidate for Seoul Songpa-gap (former Blue House National Task Secretary).

Chairman Lee Nak-yeon explained the background, saying, "Songpa-gap has been a tough district where a Democratic Party candidate has never been elected before," and added, "However, I have decided to support candidate Cho Jae-hee as the Standing Election Committee Chairman, hoping for his victory as he has long established a local base."

Upon announcing his role as chairman of Cho Jae-hee’s support committee, Chairman Lee said, "I have a deep connection with candidate Cho Jae-hee, who was my partner overseeing the president-elect’s policies when I was the spokesperson for President-elect Roh Moo-hyun," and stated, "I expect him to win in Songpa-gap, which has been a stronghold of conservatives until now, and restore the pride of Songpa."

Regarding candidate Cho Jae-hee, he emphasized, "He is recognized by himself and others as Korea’s top policy expert," and added, "During President Kim Dae-jung’s administration, he drafted ‘productive welfare,’ known as integrated medical insurance and separation of dispensing and prescribing medicines. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, integrated medical insurance became the cornerstone of a quarantine model envied worldwide."

He continued, "Candidate Cho Jae-hee, who transformed our vulnerable welfare system into a world-class advanced welfare system, is the right person to protect the people and develop the national economy," and said, "Now, with policies for the region, he will develop Songpa and double its value. I am also confident that through Songpa’s development, he will lead the development of the surrounding eastern Gyeonggi region."