Key Networks Behind the President-Elect's Victory
President Lee, an Administrator-Turned-Leader
Core Connections: The "Seongnam-Gyeonggi Line"
Focus on Whether Diverse Talent Will Be Utilized
"I'm not the kind of petty or shallow person who hires someone just because I know them, even if they lack ability."
President Lee Jaemyung has expressed his intention to utilize a diverse range of talent based on pragmatism, raising interest in the blueprint for appointments in the next administration. The Yoon Suk-yeol administration's "narrow talent pool" was cited as a major reason for the administration's failure. The previous government consistently prioritized personal connections over professional competence whenever calls for personnel reform arose, ultimately accelerating its own downfall. As President Lee comes from an administrative background, it is widely expected that he will use this as a lesson and expand the talent pool.
The core network surrounding President Lee is known as the "Seongnam-Gyeonggi Line." Jeong Jin-sang, former chief of staff to the party leader; Kim Yong, former deputy director of the Institute for Democracy; Kim Nam-jun, former deputy chief of staff to the party leader; and Kim Hyunji, aide to Representative Lee Jaemyung, are considered his "closest aides." Jeong Jin-sang previously served as President Lee's office manager during his time as a lawyer and oversaw policy in both Seongnam City and Gyeonggi Province. However, his official activities are currently restricted due to a court order related to the Daejang-dong case, which imposes residential restrictions and prohibits contact with related individuals.
Kim Yong, former deputy director of the Institute for Democracy, was directly mentioned by President Lee, who said, "Only someone like Kim Yong or Jeong Jin-sang can be considered a close aide." Kim is currently serving a five-year prison sentence after being convicted on appeal for receiving illegal political funds. In the absence of these two, whose official activities are restricted, Kim Nam-jun, former deputy chief of staff to the party leader and former spokesperson for Seongnam City, serves as "Lee Jaemyung's voice," while aide Kim Hyunji acts as "Lee Jaemyung's shadow." These four are known as the "Seongnam-Gyeonggi Quartet" and are expected to play significant roles in forming the presidential office in the new administration.
Attention on the Fate of the Original Pro-Lee "Group of Seven" Including Jeong Seongho
In the Yeouido political arena, the original pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jaemyung) "Group of Seven" is drawing attention. They have supported President Lee since his first presidential bid in 2017. At that time, they served as a bridge between the then non-mainstream President Lee and the Yeouido political establishment, helping him expand his political base. Jeong Seongho, chair of the Democratic Party's Central Election Committee National Talent Committee and known as the "leader of the pro-Lee faction," is a classmate of President Lee from the 18th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, and they have maintained a 38-year friendship.
It is known that Jeong first met President Lee at the labor law society, an "under circle" among their Judicial Research and Training Institute classmates. Kim Byungwook, a former Democratic Party lawmaker who engaged in civic activism with President Lee in Seongnam, is a planning committee member of the party's think tank, the Future Economic Growth Strategy Committee. Other members of the Group of Seven include lawmaker Kim Youngjin, a junior from Chung-Ang University; lawmaker Moon Jinseok, a classmate from the class of '82 at Chung-Ang University; Kim Namguk, a former lawmaker who recently returned to serve as deputy chief of staff for the election committee after being embroiled in a coin controversy; as well as former lawmakers Lee Gyumin and Lim Jongseong.
Key policy expert groups also include figures who established ties with President Lee during his tenure as mayor of Seongnam. Lee Hanjoo, director of the Institute for Democracy and a "friend of 40 years," first met President Lee in 1986 when Lee was preparing for the bar exam. He has been a close aide throughout President Lee's career, from his days as a human rights lawyer in Seongnam to his time as mayor and governor of Gyeonggi Province.
In April last year, immediately after the Democratic Party's landslide victory in the "4·10 general election," President Lee appointed Lee Hanjoo as director of the Institute for Democracy, the party's think tank. Lee Hanjoo is expected to take a key policy position, as he played a major role in designing the basic income blueprint and shares President Lee's views as a proponent of local currency. Other close advisers include Yoo Jongil, co-chair of Growth and Integration (and former president of KDI School of Public Policy and Management), who has advised President Lee since his time as mayor of Seongnam; Hah Jun-kyung, professor of economics at Hanyang University, who has advised him since the last presidential election; Joo Byungki, professor of economics at Seoul National University; and Kang Namhoon, honorary professor at Hanshin University.
In the field of foreign affairs and national security, figures such as lawmaker Wi Seongrak, former chief negotiator for Korean Peninsula peace at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Kim Hyun-jong, former second deputy director of the National Security Office during the Moon Jae-in administration; and Cho Hyun, former first vice minister of foreign affairs, are being discussed.
New Pro-Lee Faction Including Floor Leader Park Chan-dae and Kim Minseok
On the 4th, police special forces are on guard duty around the National Assembly main building where President Lee Jae-myung's inauguration ceremony will be held. 2025.6.4 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
The current party leadership is considered the core group of the so-called "new pro-Lee" faction. Acting party leader and floor leader Park Chan-dae is regarded as the lawmaker with the closest personal relationship to President Lee. Other close aides include Kim Minseok, who was elected as the party's chief supreme council member at last August's party convention; Cheon Jun-ho; Cho Seungrae; Jun Hyunhee; Han Junho; Kim Byungjoo; and Lee Eonju, all of whom are supreme council members. In addition, Kang Wiwon, senior advisor to the Democratic Innovation Council, who worked with President Lee during his tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province, is an important figure outside the core group.
A key Democratic Party official said, "President-elect Lee is known for never creating a second-in-command and for prioritizing pragmatism, so it is unlikely that he will assign key positions solely based on personal loyalty." The official added, "Since the party is already dominated by the pro-Lee faction and integration is the top priority for the next administration, appointments will be made based on ability."
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