‘Gwanak's Leader’ Yoo Jong-pil, Support Ripple Effect for Lee Haeng-ja, Gwanak District Mayor Candidate?

Former Gwanak-gu Mayor Yoo Jong-pil Joins as Standing Election Committee Chair for People Power Party Candidate Lee Haeng-ja in Gwanak-gu Mayoral Race Starting June 1 Local Election, Supports Lee and Party's City and District Council Candidates, Election Variables in Focus

Former Gwanak District Mayor Yoo Jong-pil (Special Advisor to the 20th Presidential Transition Committee) gave a support speech for Lee Haeng-ja, the People Power Party candidate for Gwanak District Mayor, and candidates for city and district councilors on the 19th, the day the June 1 local elections began.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The "ruler of Gwanak" has returned.

Former Gwanak District Mayor Yoo Jong-pil, who served during the 5th and 6th local government terms and upgraded Gwanak's image to a "library city," is drawing attention as he returns to the heart of politics 13 days ahead of the June 1 local elections.

After graduating from Seoul National University with a degree in philosophy, Yoo worked as a reporter for Hankook Ilbo and The Hankyoreh, served as a Seoul city council member, Blue House political secretary, president of KTV, the longest-serving spokesperson for the Democratic Party, and director of the National Assembly Library at vice-ministerial level. He then took office as the 5th elected mayor of Gwanak District, establishing over 60 libraries within a 10-minute walk throughout the district, sparking a nationwide boom in library construction among local governments.

As a result, Gwanak District shed its past image as a "Seoul shantytown" and became known as a "knowledge city," earning Yoo the title of "ruler of Gwanak."

Despite his busy schedule during his tenure as mayor, he also gained fame by publishing a well-known book titled "World Library Travels."

However, last year he made a significant political transformation. Yoo left the Democratic Party, his former home, lamenting its shift into an ideologically hardline party, and joined Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, as a special advisor. After Yoon's election, Yoo served as a special advisor to the 20th presidential transition committee.

Now, Yoo has taken on the role of permanent election committee chairman for candidate Lee Haeng-ja, the People Power Party's candidate for Gwanak District mayor in the June 1 local elections, supporting Lee's campaign. Both are former members of the Democratic Party.

On the 19th, when the local election campaign officially began, Yoo joined the active support campaign for candidate Lee.

During a support speech for People Power Party candidates for Gwanak District mayor and city and district council members held that afternoon, Yoo said, "Why would I leave the Democratic Party after 26 years? I left because it was no longer the party I aspired to." He emphasized, "Step one was President Yoon Seok-yeol's election, step two is the victory of Mayor Oh Se-hoon, candidate Lee Haeng-ja for district mayor, and city and district council members in this local election, and step three is winning the 22nd general election," appealing for support.

Gwanak District, once considered a Democratic Party stronghold, is now expected to see a close race in the June 1 local elections.

This is due to recent turmoil in Gwanak's political scene, including Democratic Party supporters leaving the party following the party's unilateral decision on the district mayoral candidate.

In particular, recent polls show Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's approval rating significantly ahead of Democratic candidate Song Young-gil, boosting the morale of People Power Party candidates for Gwanak District mayor, city council, and district council.

Accordingly, local political circles are closely watching how former mayor Yoo Jong-pil's election activities, given his nationwide recognition and influence in Gwanak politics, will impact the election.