'Revisiting the Spotlight on "Noh Moo-hyun's Men"... Nomination Confirmed for "Mickey Rook" Lee Sang-ho and Others'

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Former Gangwon Governor Lee Kwang-jae, known as a 'pro-Roh core,' has drawn renewed attention to the 'pro-Roh (pro-Roh Moo-hyun)' faction by taking on the role of the Democratic Party's regional election countermeasures committee chairman for the April 15 general election.

According to the Democratic Party on the 27th, many preliminary candidates classified as pro-Roh figures have either won in multiple primaries or secured nominations.

The list of confirmed nominations from the first primary results announced by the Democratic Party the previous day included preliminary candidate Lee Sang-ho (Busan Saha-eul). This candidate is classified as a representative pro-Roh figure who greatly contributed to the 2002 presidential election victory by leading election campaigns such as the 'Hope Piggy Bank.' He is a former representative of Busan Nosamo (Meeting of People Who Love Roh Moo-hyun) and is widely known by the nickname 'Mikiruk.' Also included in the confirmed nomination list was Assemblyman Kang Byung-won (Seoul Eunpyeong-eul), a former administrative officer of the Participatory Government.

The list of uncontested nominations previously announced by the Democratic Party also included many figures from the Participatory Government era. Assemblyman Jeon Jae-soo (Busan Buk-gu Gangseo-gap), a former second deputy chief of staff during the Participatory Government, secured an uncontested nomination. Assemblyman Park Jae-ho (Busan Nam-gu-eul), who was the political secretary at the time, and Assemblyman Choi In-ho (Busan Saha-gu-gap), who was the domestic media secretary, also received uncontested nominations. Former senior secretary Hwang In-seong (Gyeongnam Sacheon Namhae Hadong), who served as the senior secretary for civil society during the Participatory Government, secured his nomination early on.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Assemblyman Shin Kyung-min was eliminated in the first primary. Instead, former Assemblyman Kim Min-seok, a representative anti-Roh (anti-Roh Moo-hyun) figure, won the primary. Following Shin's elimination, some party members have launched a campaign against Kim, causing internal backlash. This is because Kim reportedly switched to Chung Mong-joon’s campaign during the 2002 presidential election when Roh Moo-hyun’s support was declining. On the Democratic Party’s members’ bulletin board, some claim that Kim was not hesitant to make harsh remarks against former candidate Roh and express opinions such as "It seems the party is about to split again."

Before the primary, Assemblyman Shin posted on his Facebook that he received encouragement from Kwon Yang-sook, the wife of former President Roh, which became a topic of interest. A Democratic Party official stated, "Since most pro-Roh figures continue as pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in), the distinction between 'pro-Roh' and 'pro-Moon' within the party is meaningless."

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