Woo Sang-ho: "'Big 3' Alone Won't Do... Lee Kwang-jae Confirmed, Im Jong-seok in Uncertainty"

Woo Sang-ho, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Woo Sang-ho, a representative politician of the 86 generation (students of the 1980s, born in the 1960s) and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "Besides the Big 3 (Lee Jae-myung, Lee Nak-yon, Jeong Sye-kyun), more presidential candidates should emerge to enrich the party's primary election." Lee Kwang-jae, a Democratic Party member, has practically made up his mind to run, while former presidential chief of staff Lim Jong-seok is said to be in uncertainty.

On the 12th, Woo said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "If there are people considering running for president, I have advised them to take on the challenge," adding, "The primary should proceed in two rounds: one with the Big 3 and another with emerging new candidates. This would create a more vibrant primary and have a promotional effect. Even if they don't succeed this time, it would help prepare candidates for the future. For example, Lee Jae-myung, who challenged the Gyeonggi Province governorship after serving as a basic local government head, is now a leading presidential candidate."

Woo attended Democratic Party member Park Yong-jin's presidential candidacy announcement ceremony on the 9th to offer encouragement, and also attended Lee Kwang-jae's press conference on the 'Gangwon Development Strategy' the day before, saying, "I came knowing it was Lee Kwang-jae's first step toward running for president."

Woo advised Lee Kwang-jae to compete focusing on discourse and agenda, and noted that Lee expressed confidence in that area. "He is expected to declare his candidacy around the end of this month, but it can be said that his presidential campaign has already begun," Woo said. Both are alumni of Yonsei University, with Woo being two years senior.

Regarding his close friend, former chief of staff Lim Jong-seok, Woo said, "He is someone I know very well, but we haven't communicated for about a month recently," and added, "I understand that Lim was willing to support Kim Kyung-soo, governor of Gyeongnam Province, but as Kim faced difficulties due to his trial, Lim is now contemplating his own presidential run." Woo continued, "At this point, I don't know which way Lim's heart is leaning."

Among the 86 generation candidates mentioned, Minister of Unification Lee In-young is focusing on improving the deteriorated inter-Korean relations, and Governor Kim Kyung-soo is awaiting the Supreme Court trial after being convicted in the so-called 'Druking' second trial. Both are practically unable to run.

Ultimately, the current third candidates are narrowed down to Park Yong-jin and Lee Kwang-jae, members of the National Assembly, Kim Du-kwan, based in the Yeongnam region, and Yang Seung-jo, governor of Chungnam Province. Additionally, former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae cannot be ruled out as a candidate opposing former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, and Governor Choi Moon-soon of Gangwon Province is also reportedly considering a run.