Lee Jun-seok, Park Ji-won, and Jung Sung-ho's Calculations on 'Prime Minister Candidate Recommendation'

Lee Jun-seok, Reform New Party Leader, on Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo,
Democratic Party Pro-Myung Jeong Seong-ho on Representative Joo Ho-young,
Park Ji-won Elected Official's Reason for Recommending Director Lee Jae-oh

After Prime Minister Han Duck-soo tendered his resignation taking responsibility for the general election defeat, President Yoon Suk-yeol has been struggling to appoint a successor. Saying "more time is needed," the situation remains unclear. Various figures have been mentioned in political circles regarding the next prime minister candidate. There are reasons behind each recommendation. Let's examine the calculations.

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, has been advocating for Hong Joon-pyo, mayor of Daegu and a member of the People Power Party, as the next prime minister candidate since right after the general election. In a recent media interview, Lee stated, "For the conservative camp to gradually build harmony with the president, it should start by giving a role to Mayor Hong, who was the biggest competitor during the presidential election." He also suggested actively supporting Mayor Hong. Seeming to be aware of the jinx where politicians who have served as prime minister have tasted defeat in presidential elections, Lee said, "Out of fear of the jinx, people refuse to take on major roles during critical national crises. I think this is not right."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Mayor Hong responded positively to Lee’s prime minister proposal. Congratulating Lee on his victory as a member of the National Assembly for Hwaseong after a fierce battle, he complimented him as "still a decent politician." Various interpretations have emerged regarding Lee’s active promotion of the ‘Hong Joon-pyo prime minister theory.’ Some argue that if Lee recommends him, the appointment might actually become more difficult. In response, Lee rebutted, "I never advise for someone to fail." Rather, it is interpreted that Lee, who advocates reform conservatism, is trying to expand points of contact with the conservative camp through Mayor Hong, who is approachable within the ruling party. Attention is also drawn to the fact that Mayor Hong is serving as mayor in Daegu, considered the 'stronghold of conservatism.' Lee once hinted at running for office in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, his father’s hometown.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Within the Democratic Party, Joo Ho-young, a member of the People Power Party, has been recommended. Jeong Seong-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker known as a pro-Moon Jae-in faction leader, has repeatedly said, "He is flexible and politically capable," and "He has the potential to be prime minister." The idea of Joo as prime minister has been repeatedly raised by senior members of the Democratic Party. Some claim that pushing a politician from Daegu, Joo, as a successor to a former prime minister from Jeonju, Jeonbuk, is a ploy to confine the People Power Party to the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region, effectively limiting it to a regional party.

A senior Democratic Party member who has led negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties refuted this claim. This senior lawmaker introduced, "Based on his legislative experience, Joo was recommended because he is someone who can communicate well." In fact, during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, when the ruling and opposition parties clashed fiercely over the first budget bill, Joo, as floor leader, demonstrated political skill by brokering a compromise between the parties. The presidential office responded, "The livelihood budget was diminished under pressure. It is regrettable." This suggests that despite opposition from the presidential office in the first year of the administration, Joo proceeded with the budget agreement. The opposition views Joo’s political skills as making him a negotiable counterpart.

Lee Jae-oh, an advisor for the People Power Party, is talking about his writing, walking, and political career in his office near Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

Returning to the National Assembly, ‘old boy’ Park Ji-won, elected from Haenam, Wando, and Jindo in Jeollanam-do for the Democratic Party, recommended Lee Jae-oh, chairman of the Democracy Movement Memorial Foundation. Reasons cited include Lee’s frank criticism within the ruling party and his past role as a special minister facilitating smooth communication between the ruling and opposition parties. However, if the ‘old boy’ Lee becomes prime minister and returns to active politics, it is analyzed that Park’s political space could also expand further. For Park, this means he can establish the ‘old boy’ league as a main stage in politics alongside Lee.