"Three-Year Presidential Term and Full Commitment to Constitutional Reform"
Lee Junghyun Announces Bid in People Power Party Primary
Lee Junghyun, former leader of the Saenuri Party (now the People Power Party), officially announced his candidacy for the 21st presidential election on the 7th.
In his declaration of candidacy released that day, Lee stated, "Based on the experience and expertise I have gained in the political field, I will ensure the success of the constitutional amendment agenda," and added, "I am announcing my candidacy for the People Power Party's presidential primary, and if I become president, my first priority will be to push for constitutional reform." He particularly emphasized, "I will shorten the presidential term to three years and implement constitutional reform in the form of a national constitution."
Lee repeatedly stated that the core objective of his presidential bid is 'constitutional reform.' He said, "Regardless of whether I become the candidate or not, I will do everything possible to ensure that the discussion on constitutional reform is not lost during the primary and general election process," and asserted, "As someone who has experienced all the ups and downs of real-world politics, I am the only person who can truly lead this task."
He also said, "I will become a president from Honam with a conservative background," and added, "The People Power Party candidate must have a running mate from Honam, and now it is necessary to make a promise to make Honam a partner in national growth."
Explaining his political career, he said, "I have served three terms as a National Assembly member, twice as a party supreme council member, as Senior Secretary to the President for Political Affairs and Public Relations at the Blue House, and as an elected party leader, focusing on marginalized regions and people," and added, "Starting as a party staffer and climbing 19 steps, my political journey has been filled with the spirit of a dedicated worker." He also said, "If I become president, I will not be a ruler who only governs, but a 'communicator president' who listens and communicates."
In his declaration, Lee presented a vision for his campaign under the name '2025 Great Transformation,' focusing on national reform with key pledges such as ▲Realization of Article 1 of the Constitution ▲Innovation of the conservative party ▲Establishment of a citizen-led constitutional system ▲Reform of the personnel appointment system ▲Inclusive and balanced politics. He specifically announced the introduction of a 'People's Personnel' system, in which officials are selected through expert recommendations and public verification using a 9-3-1 method.
Lee was born in Gokseong, Jeollanam-do, and graduated from Gwangju Salesio High School and the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Dongguk University. He entered politics as an aide to former Minjeong Party lawmaker Koo Yongsang, and held key positions in political analysis, strategic planning, and spokesperson offices in the Minjeong Party, Grand National Party, and Saenuri Party.
He entered the National Assembly as a proportional representative in the 18th general election in 2008, won the Suncheon-Gokseong by-election in 2014 to become the first conservative party member to win a constituency in Jeollanam-do, and was re-elected in the 2016 general election. He later served as the leader of the Saenuri Party and is currently serving as Vice Chairperson of the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development.
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