'Lee Jae-myung 2nd Term' Formation Begins... Spokesperson Appointment Announced
Chief Secretary, Senior Spokesperson, and Strategic Planning Committee Chair Also Announced
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, appointed political office holders to work together in the 'Lee Jae-myung 2nd term.' Kim Yoon-duk, a three-term lawmaker from Jeonbuk Jeonju-si Gap, was appointed as Secretary-General, and Jin Sung-jun, a three-term lawmaker from Seoul Gangseo-gu Eul, was appointed as Chair of the Policy Committee. Both lawmakers were retained from the 'Lee Jae-myung 1st term.' In particular, it was reported that the decision was strengthened because Lee requested Chair Jin to "follow principles from a policy perspective rather than political considerations."
Cho Seung-rae, chief spokesperson and three-term lawmaker from Daejeon Yuseong-gu Gap, announced the appointments of Secretary-General Kim and Policy Committee Chair Jin during the 'Party Office Appointment Briefing' on the 19th. He said, "Secretary-General Kim and Chair Jin are already performing their duties, and continuity and stability were considered in transitioning from Lee Jae-myung's 1st to 2nd term," adding, "They were also positively evaluated for managing party affairs well during the transitional period." Secretary-General Kim is considered one of the key pro-Lee Jae-myung figures, having served as head of the Organizational Innovation Team in Lee's presidential campaign.
Jinseongjun, Policy Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Chair Jin served as the Blue House Political Planning Secretary during the Moon Jae-in administration. Recently, he showed differences of opinion with Lee over issues such as easing the comprehensive real estate tax (종부세, Jongbu-se) and postponing the financial investment income tax (금투세, Geumtu-se). However, it was reported that Lee personally encouraged Chair Jin, saying, "It is very necessary and desirable for the Policy Committee to uphold principles from a policy standpoint." When confirming his reappointment the day before, Lee emphasized, "Differences within the party are proof of a healthy party," and "Diversity is life and essence."
The appointment briefing on the same day was also the debut stage for Chief Spokesperson Cho, who was announced late the previous evening. He greeted, "Leader Lee announced Chief Spokesperson Cho Seung-rae and Secretary-General of the Office Lee Hae-sik yesterday. Nice to meet you." He added, "Around 8:40 p.m. yesterday, Leader Lee called me and requested that I take on the role of chief spokesperson." When asked why he accepted the request despite being a three-term lawmaker, given that the chief spokesperson role has usually been held by second-term lawmakers, he replied, "The current situation is serious," and "Even if it is a minor position, I naturally felt I should play a role."
On the same day, Cheon Jun-ho, a two-term lawmaker from Seoul Gangbuk-gu Gap, was appointed as Chair of the Democratic Party's Strategic Planning Committee. According to Chief Spokesperson Cho, appointments for spokespersons and deputy spokespersons will be carried out as quickly as possible following this.
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