[Lee Jaemyung's Power Man] Woo Sangho, the All-Round Senior Secretary for Political Affairs [AK Radio]

A Former Four-Term Lawmaker with a Bold Approach
A Rational Figure Who Communicates Even with the Opposition
Possible Candidacy for Governor of Gangwon Province Next Year

Woo Sangho, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs in the Presidential Office, was born in 1962 in Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon, Gangwon Province. He is a former four-term lawmaker who has served as both floor leader and Emergency Response Committee Chairman. This is unusual, considering that the position of Senior Secretary for Political Affairs has typically been held by first- or second-term lawmakers. Compared to Kang Hoonshik, the Chief Presidential Secretary (born in 1973), who is a former three-term lawmaker, Woo has served more terms and is 11 years older. Taking into account his political stature, experience, and gentle personality, Woo is expected to play the role of an 'elder brother' within the Presidential Office.

He is known for his conviction that politics should be about compromise and coexistence, his broad understanding of state affairs, keen political instincts, and exceptional communication skills, having served as spokesperson eight times. He has already been active, meeting with Democratic Party lawmakers to explain the reasons for retaining Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Miryung, and holding a dinner with 'Choilhoe,' a group of former non-mainstream lawmakers.

President Lee Jaemyung explained his appointment of Woo on June 8 as follows: "He is regarded as the right person for integration, with a firm philosophy of bipartisan cooperation. Based on his extensive legislative experience, he possesses a deep understanding of state affairs and outstanding political acumen. I expect him to serve as an excellent bridge between the Presidential Office and the National Assembly."

Woo moved to Seoul when he was in the sixth grade at Dongsong Elementary School. He graduated from Yongmun High School in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and Yonsei University with a degree in Korean literature. He also earned a master's degree from the Graduate School of Public Administration at Yonsei University. While at Yonsei, he joined the 'Yonsei Literature Society' and won the May Literature Award and the Yun Dongju Literature Award. He dreamed of becoming a poet, but the times changed his fate. After serving as a mortar soldier in the 30th Division and being discharged in 1985, he became actively involved in the student movement. Typically, student activists consider finding a job after military service, but Woo did the opposite, devoting himself to activism after his discharge. Influential figures during this period included Oh Yeonho, CEO of OhmyNews (then president of the Yonsei Korean Literature Student Council), and human rights activist Park Raegun (a friend).

In 1987, during the so-called June Democratic Uprising, Woo was the president of the Yonsei University Student Council. At the time, Lee Inyoung of Korea University and Woo Sangho of Yonsei University were symbols of the student movement. Woo was present at the scene when Lee Hanyeol was fatally struck by a tear gas canister. He still serves as the chairman of the Lee Hanyeol Memorial Foundation.

In the 16th general election in 2000, Woo entered institutional politics by running for Seodaemun-gap. From then on, he faced Lee Sunghun, the head of Seodaemun District and former Yonsei University Student Defense Corps leader, in a series of rivalries. They competed against each other six times, with Woo winning four times. While Woo was the Democratic Party floor leader, the impeachment of former President Park Geunhye took place. In 2022, he served as Emergency Response Committee Chairman and as chairman of the special committee for the National Assembly investigation into the Itaewon disaster. He declared he would not run in the 2024 general election, citing a lack of further roles in politics and a waning passion compared to his early terms as the reasons for his decision.

Kim Yongtae, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Woo Sangho, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs of the Presidential Office (left), are shaking hands on June 10 at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. 2025.6.10 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Instead, Woo set his sights on becoming a metropolitan mayor. He has previously run for Seoul mayor twice, in 2018 and 2021, but had to give up his dream after losing to former lawmaker Park Youngsun and former mayor Park Wonsoon. Within political circles, it is widely believed that Woo will run for governor of Gangwon Province next year. During the recent presidential election, he served as the campaign chair for Gangwon Province. Cheorwon in Gangwon is his hometown, and currently, there are no other Democratic Party candidates with clear competitiveness. The success of the Lee Jaemyung administration is also closely linked to Woo's political future.
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