Seongnam Line: Jeong Jin Sang and Kim Nam Jun, Companions Through Hardships and Successes
Original Pro-Lee Faction: Jeong Seong Ho and Kim Young Jin, Judicial Training Institute and Alumni Ties
New Pro-Lee Group: Park Chan Dae, Kim Min Seok, and Other Parliamentary Leaders
Policy Group: Lee Han Joo and Yoo Jong Il, Partners in Vision Design
Key aides have played a significant role in Lee Jae Myung's rise from an outsider in the non-mainstream faction to becoming the Democratic Party's candidate for the 21st presidential election. These individuals have developed and grown alongside Lee throughout his political journey and are now regarded as the core driving force supporting his current leadership.
Lee first entered the political stage in earnest when he was elected mayor of Seongnam in 2010. The aides who gathered around him at that time are commonly referred to as the "Seongnam Line." Notable figures include Jeong Jin Sang, former Chief of Staff for Political Affairs to the party leader; Kim Nam Jun, former Deputy Chief of Political Affairs; and Kim Hyun Ji, an aide. These individuals have been Lee's political companions, sharing both the hardships and successes since his days as a non-mainstream outsider.
Jeong Jin Sang is known as the key figure who led the nomination process during last year's general election. Although his activities are currently limited due to judicial risks related to the Daejang-dong incident, he is expected to continue playing a behind-the-scenes role. Kim Nam Jun is often referred to as Lee's "mouthpiece" and has served as his spokesperson since Lee's time as mayor of Seongnam. He later became the media secretary for Gyeonggi Province and joined Lee as an aide after Lee was elected to the National Assembly. Kim Hyun Ji has had a relationship with Lee for over 20 years, having engaged in civic activism together through organizations such as the Seongnam Citizens' Solidarity for Participatory Autonomy and the Seongnam Agenda 21 Action Council.
Lee Jae Myung, who was selected as the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is delivering his acceptance speech at the "Democratic Party 21st Presidential Election Candidate Selection Joint Rally for the Seoul Metropolitan Area, Gangwon, and Jeju" held on April 27 at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. 2025.4.27. Photo by Kang Jin Hyung
The pro-Lee faction within the National Assembly is commonly referred to as the "Group of Seven." Representative figures include Jeong Seong Ho, who serves as the group's leader, as well as Kim Young Jin, Moon Jin Seok, Kim Byung Wook, and former lawmakers Kim Nam Guk, among others. Lee and Jeong Seong Ho were classmates at the 18th Judicial Research and Training Institute, while Kim Young Jin is a junior alumnus from Chung-Ang University. Since the party primary for the 19th presidential election in 2017, they have supported Lee. Currently, they serve as Lee's "red team," addressing the most uncomfortable topics for Lee and acting as risk moderators.
The rise of the so-called "new pro-Lee" faction has also been notable. Since the April 10 general election last year, they have been classified as Lee's key aides. After Lee secured party leadership once again, party leaders such as Park Chan Dae, the floor leader; Kim Min Seok, the senior supreme council member; and Chun Jun Ho, the head of strategic planning, have become central figures. They have earned Lee's trust across both the presidential campaign and party affairs, serving as practical advisors during various crises.
The policy advisory group known as "Lee Jae Myung's think tank" is also indispensable. Many of its members have longstanding ties with Lee dating back to his tenure as mayor of Seongnam. Lee Han Joo, head of the Democratic Research Institute, and Yoo Jong Il, co-chair of Growth and Integration, have participated as policy partners in designing major pledges and visions. Other key members of Lee's policy group include Lee Jae Kang, former Vice Governor for Peace during Lee's time as governor of Gyeonggi Province; Cho Gye Won, former Chief Policy Secretary; and Kwon Soon Jeong, former Chief of Political Strategy.
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