Sangmin Lee: "Seoul Mayor Song Young-gil? Should Not Come and Go Like a Gonggitdol as a Member of the National Assembly"

"Constituency is Incheon but running for Seoul Mayor? Doesn't add up"
"Local election residents' will is important... Should withdraw candidacy even now"
"Competition with Oh Se-hoon is tough, but approaching as 'big shot or not' is wrong"

Lee Sang-min, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Lee Sang-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on former party leader Song Young-gil's candidacy for Seoul mayor, saying, "I think it would be appropriate to withdraw even now."

In an interview with MBN's 'Pressroom' on the 5th, Lee said, "It is not appropriate for someone who took responsibility for the recent presidential election defeat as party leader and stepped down to immediately run in the upcoming local elections, specifically the Seoul mayoral election."

Lee pointed out, "(Former leader Song) is a member of the National Assembly representing the Incheon constituency. It doesn't quite add up for such a person to resign from the National Assembly mid-term and run for Seoul mayor, "adding, "from the perspective of Incheon citizens, it means their local representative is suddenly quitting mid-term, and from the perspective of Seoul citizens, he has never shown any vision as a mayor, so if a National Assembly member from Incheon suddenly comes, it would be difficult for anyone to accept it easily."

He continued, "Those who argue that former leader Song should run for Seoul mayor say that since the election against Mayor Oh Se-hoon will be tough, a heavyweight candidate should come forward, and that Song should run as a form of dedication," but he raised his voice, saying, "While that is not wrong, I don't think the Seoul mayoral election or elected National Assembly positions should be treated like a shuttlecock, coming and going and being given up at will."

He added, "The will of voters and local residents is very important, and approaching this issue politically as a matter of whether someone is a heavyweight or not without considering that is not right," expressing repeated concerns about former leader Song's candidacy for Seoul mayor.

Earlier, former leader Song officially announced his candidacy for Seoul mayor on the 1st by posting on Facebook that he had changed his address from Incheon to Seoul. However, some within the party have opposed his candidacy, arguing that it is inappropriate to run for election so soon after stepping down to take responsibility for the presidential election defeat.