"'Roh Moo-hyun's Right Hand' Lee Kwang-jae Accepts Co-Chairmanship of the Ruling Party's Joint Election Committee... 'Considering Candidacy'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Former Gangwon Governor Lee Kwang-jae, known as 'Roh Moo-hyun's right-hand man,' accepted the proposal from Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 30th to serve as co-chairman of the party's election campaign committee for the upcoming general election.

According to Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Jae-jung, Lee Kwang-jae received the offer to become co-chairman during a dinner meeting with Lee Hae-chan held at an undisclosed location in Yeouido that evening and accepted it.

The spokesperson said during the dinner, "Former Governor Lee expressed his affection for the Gangwon region and his willingness to contribute to the election process. Leader Lee asked him to play a role in the campaign committee," adding, "Leader Lee also requested that he personally run as a candidate in the Gangwon area."

He continued, "Former Governor Lee said he would serve as the central party's campaign committee head in a voluntary capacity and that he would take more time to consider running for office," and added, "Leader Lee responded by saying, 'Running directly is the way to contribute.'"

Lee Kwang-jae is a prominent pro-Roh figure who served as secretary to former President Roh Moo-hyun during his time as a member of the National Assembly and later as head of the Office of State Affairs in the Roh administration's Blue House. Although he was stripped of his eligibility to run for office after being sentenced to six months in prison with a one-year probation in January 2011 for illegal political fund charges, he was reinstated last December through a special pardon by President Moon Jae-in.

Given his history of winning two terms as a member of the National Assembly and being elected governor in the conservative-leaning Gangwon region, he is highly likely to oversee the general election campaign in Gangwon.

The spokesperson added, "It was an opportunity for Leader Lee Hae-chan to understand strategically what support Gangwon Province needs. Leader Lee nodded and mainly listened," he said.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.