Lee Jae-myung's Campaign Committee Complete... Six-Member System Without 'Special Unit'

Consolidation of 16 to 6 Headquarters in the Previous Committee
Establishment of a Streamlined, Practical Organization
No Unofficial Groups Like Moon's Gwangheungchang Team

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Chae-eun Koo, Jin-young Jeon] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, has streamlined the campaign headquarters from 16 divisions to 6 divisions (Policy, Organization, Functional, Public Relations, General Affairs, Strategy), establishing a slimmed-down "practical organization." On the 2nd, Lee announced the reorganization plan at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "We will become a Democratic Party campaign headquarters that reflects the voices of the people in policies, swiftly implements them, and accumulates achievements."

They decided not to form a separate special task force, which in past presidential elections served as an unofficial core group, such as President Moon Jae-in’s ‘Gwangheungchang Team’ and President Roh Moo-hyun’s ‘Geumgang Team.’ The structure is such that six division heads report directly to the candidate, making transparent and agile final decisions. Kim Young-jin, a member of the National Assembly and head of the General Affairs Division, said, "Without an unofficial organization, each division will have content and roles and will quickly make decisions with the candidate."

Looking at the six divisions, Yoon Hu-deok, who oversaw policy development in Lee Jae-myung’s camp, was appointed head of the Policy Division. Lee Won-wook, affiliated with former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, was appointed head of the Organization Division, and Kim Byung-wook, who has been managing the camp’s organization, was appointed head of the Functional Division. Kim Young-hee, former vice president of MBC newly recruited, was appointed head of the Public Relations Division. Assemblyman Kim Young-jin as Secretary-General and Assemblyman Kang Hoon-sik as head of the Strategy Planning Committee were appointed heads of the General Affairs and Strategy Divisions, respectively. The six division heads effectively make core decisions directly under the candidate. Each division will be placed under the direct supervision of the standing campaign committee chairpersons. Assemblyman Seo Young-kyo was appointed head of the General Situation Office, and Assemblyman Park Kwang-on was appointed head of the Public Relations Team. Assemblyman Oh Young-hoon was appointed Chief Secretary, and Assemblyman Yoon Gun-young was appointed Political Affairs Secretary. Former Strategy Planning Committee Chair Lee Geun-hyung was appointed head of the Future Planning Group.

The reform of "Lee Jae-myung’s Democratic Party" gained momentum starting with the collective resignation announcement of key party officials on the 24th of last month. On the 25th of the same month, party appointments centered on Lee’s close aides were made, followed by the announcement of youth talent recruitment on the 1st of this month, and with the consolidation of divisions on this day, the framework of "Lee Jae-myung’s Democratic Party" was virtually completed. Seemingly aware of the prolonged discord between People Power Party candidate Yoon Seok-youl and party leader Lee Jun-seok, Lee and party leader Song Young-gil are coordinating closely to establish a unified cooperative system.