Lee Jeong-hyun to run in Yeongdeungpo-eul, Seoul... "Please make efforts for United Party alliance"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Independent lawmaker Lee Jeong-hyun has declared his candidacy for the Yeongdeungpo-eul district in the upcoming April general election. He effectively proposed a candidate unification by urging the United Future Party to "make more efforts toward opposition coalition."

On the morning of the 1st, Lee held a press conference at the National Assembly Press Hall and stated, "I intend to run in the Yeongdeungpo-eul constituency, the political hotspot where the legislative branch of the Republic of Korea is located, in the 21st general election."

He explained his reason for running, saying, "This election is a strategic key point to protect the rule of law, which is being undermined by the Moon Jae-in administration. Based on my 36 years of election politics experience, if we fail to suppress the ruling power in this district, the overall election landscape, especially in Jongno where I willingly yielded to the leader of the main opposition party, cannot be properly contested."

Previously, Lee had declared his candidacy for Jongno in Seoul but reversed his position after Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, announced his candidacy for Jongno.

He respectfully requested, "I ask the United Future Party to make more efforts toward a horizontal opposition coalition to judge the Moon administration until just before the candidate registration for the Yeongdeungpo-eul district. Please unite your strength with me."

The United Future Party’s nomination management committee has confirmed the nomination of Park Yong-chan, the party spokesperson and former MBC anchor, for Yeongdeungpo-eul. The Democratic Party of Korea has confirmed the nomination of former lawmaker Kim Min-seok through a primary.

Meanwhile, Lee previously served as the leader of the Saenuri Party, the predecessor of the Liberty Korea Party, but resigned as party leader and left the party in January 2017 after the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against former President Park Geun-hye.

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