Likely to Hold a Press Conference Tomorrow to Clarify Position
Repeated Calls for Candidacy Within the Party
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Rep. Lee Kwang-jae, who has been encouraged to run for governor of Gangwon Province by the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed his intention to run, saying he is "a person who has received special grace from all the people of Gangwon." He is expected to officially announce his candidacy at a press conference on the 21st.
On the 20th, after attending a joint ruling and opposition party press conference at the National Assembly urging the connection of high-speed rail networks among major hubs in Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungcheong, and Gyeongsang, Rep. Lee told reporters in response to a question about whether he had been contacted through party leadership regarding the candidacy encouragement, "I am receiving various contacts. On one hand, there is a demand that I try a challenge in the local area (Gangwon Province), and on the other hand, there is a request for me to contribute to innovating and changing the party as a member of the Democratic Party leadership. It seems opinions among the lawmakers are quite divided," he said.
He added, "I served as a member of the National Assembly in my 30s, was elected as the youngest governor in my 40s by the residents, and although I could not keep my promises, the people of Gangwon raised me up again after 10 years."
He continued, "I am thinking with two criteria: one is the way to repay the grace to the residents, and the other is to be a tool for historical development and contribution," and said, "I will see you at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning." Rep. Lee is scheduled to announce his candidacy on the morning of the 21st.
Earlier, as demands for Rep. Lee's candidacy increased within the party, the party decided on the 19th to encourage him to run for governor of Gangwon Province.
On the same day, the Democratic Party's Gangwon Province non-incumbent chairperson and affiliated mayors and county heads held a press conference at the Democratic Party provincial office urging Rep. Lee's candidacy, stating, "Gangwon Province needs Lee Kwang-jae," and "The Democratic Party and Rep. Lee must make a decision." Democratic Party members of the Gangwon Provincial Council also urged Rep. Lee to run, saying, "We demand that you throw your fate into the Gangwon Province you love."
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