Woo Won-sik Declares Non-Candidacy for Party Convention... "Warned That Lee Jae-myung's Candidacy Is Dangerous, But Was Discouraged..."

"Ijaemyeong's Candidacy Seems Inevitable... Not Appropriate to Oppose After Helping in the Presidential Election, So No Run"
"If Ijaemyeong Runs, a Clear Alternative Must Be Presented, Not Just the Trend"

Woo Won-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a lecture titled "Back to the Field" at the "Euljiro Committee Morning Special Lecture - The Euljiro Committee Rising Again" forum held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Woo Won-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) who was considered a frontrunner for the party leadership, has declared that he will not run in the upcoming DPK party convention in August. Woo revealed that he had expressed concerns about Lee Jae-myung, a prominent DPK lawmaker and leading candidate for party leader, and stated that with Lee's candidacy becoming a foregone conclusion, he, who supported Lee during the last presidential election, has decided not to run.

On the 7th, Woo posted on social media (SNS), "Lee Jae-myung's candidacy for the party convention is now almost a foregone conclusion," adding, "From my position as the campaign committee chairman for Lee Jae-myung during the presidential primary, I have concluded that it is inappropriate to compete against him in the party convention. Therefore, I will not run in this convention."

He explained, "The significance of this party convention lies in building a strong opposition party against the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, which has caused a major livelihood crisis, and establishing the DPK as a party that represents the common people and the middle class," and added, "I have shared these concerns with Lee Jae-myung several times."

He continued, "Along with my own plans, I conveyed my view that it would be risky for Lee Jae-myung to run in this convention for his own prospects and the future of the party," elaborating, "If Lee takes the forefront of the party this time, his innovation plans are likely to be distorted and diminished due to factional conflicts, and from the perspective of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, which is constantly trying to exaggerate Lee's judicial risks, it could become an opportunity to shake the entire party."

Woo added, "I recommended taking time to restore the spirit of Lee Jae-myung as a symbol of the era’s call to resolve inequality and unfairness, which became blurred during the presidential election process."

He further stated, "If Lee Jae-myung runs, he must clearly explain to party members and supporters that he is not just the prevailing trend but a clear alternative," and "He must prove that he still holds the spirit of the era to change the Republic of Korea. Although I am greatly concerned about the internal and external conflicts that will arise, I hope he overcomes them well and leads both himself and the DPK to a path of success."

Woo concluded, "I will continue to be an active collaborator in establishing the DPK as a party for the middle class and common people as I have done so far, but as someone who has protected the DPK since the days of the Peace Democratic Party, I will not hesitate to offer harsh criticism first if necessary from the perspective of putting the party before personal interests."