Lee Hoi-chang Appears After 7 Years, "Concern Over Opposition's Legislative Overreach Possible"

People Power Party Freshman Lawmaker Jeong Yeon-wook Publicly Revealed

Lee Hoe-chang (89), former chairman of the Grand National Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party), has recently been seen in public. Since attending the presidential campaign launch event of former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min in 2017, Lee has not engaged in any notable activities.

Photo by Jeong Yeon-wook, Member of Parliament SNS

Jeong Yeon-wook, a first-term lawmaker of the People Power Party, posted on social media on the 5th, saying, “I greeted former Chairman Lee, whom I have long respected, upon my first attendance at the 22nd National Assembly,” and shared a photo taken with him.

Jeong, a former reporter for the Dong-A Ilbo, revealed, “As a political reporter covering the National Assembly in the past, I developed a connection with former Chairman Lee through intensive coverage.” He added, “Former Chairman Lee expressed concerns that the opposition party, now the majority, might engage in legislative overreach like a Mercedes-Benz without brakes.” He conveyed that Lee emphasized the heavy responsibility and role of the ruling People Power Party to overcome this and urged active legislative activities. He also wrote, “During our conversation, former Chairman Lee’s sharp gaze remained unchanged,” and “I sincerely hope he stays healthy going forward.”

Former Chairman Lee graduated from Gyeonggi High School and Seoul National University Law School, began his judicial career after passing the 8th Judicial Examination, served as a Supreme Court Justice and Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, and was the 26th Prime Minister of South Korea. Known as the “Ironclad Prime Minister” for his unwavering principles and convictions, he stepped down from the prime ministership after 127 days due to conflicts with former President Kim Young-sam. He ran twice for president as a candidate of the Grand National Party but was defeated, and ran as an independent candidate in the 17th presidential election, finishing third. He supported Park Geun-hye’s presidential victory in 2012 and appeared at former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min’s presidential campaign launch in 2017 but has not appeared in official events since then.