Lee Nak-yeon "No Candidacy in Own Region... Will Field Candidates in All Areas of Jeonbuk"

Lee Nak-yeon, Chair of the New Future Talent Recruitment Committee, reiterated his intention not to run in his constituency on the 21st and announced that candidates will be fielded in all constituencies in Jeonbuk.

On the 21st, Lee held a press conference at the Jeonbuk Provincial Council and said, "I have long thought about not running in the general election," adding, "I am well aware that comrades are earnestly asking me to run. I am listening carefully."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "We will field candidates in all 10 constituencies in Jeonbuk," and explained, "It has been confirmed that former lawmaker Shin Kyung-min, who left the Democratic Party, does not have a strong intention to run."

When asked about his presidential bid, he replied, "South Korea is in urgent times," and said, "It is arrogant to think about the presidential election while leaving the crisis situation unattended."

Lee also stated, "The current two-party system is highly abnormal, and I will listen to the voices of the remaining 30% who are marginalized here." He added, "Almost all members of the National Assembly are divided between the two parties, leaving little room for a third voice to be reflected in legislation. I will listen to the voices of the rest and strive to have them reflected in the legislative process."

Regarding criticism over his departure from the Democratic Party, Lee said, "It is a reconstruction and expansion. It is not about taking away Democratic Party supporters," adding, "If we gather those whose hearts have nowhere to go, those who have already turned away from the Democratic Party, as allies, the opposition will be rebuilt."

On the reasons for leaving the Democratic Party, he said, "I tried to bring change within the party but repeatedly felt it was futile," and added, "Democratic Party lawmakers used language close to curses, and when I was in the U.S., about 70,000 hardline party members demanded my expulsion, but the lawmakers did not stop them. Is this how comrades think?"