Lee Jae-jung "I Will Become a Warrior of Innovation and Reform" Announces Candidacy for Democratic Party Supreme Council Member

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Lee Jae-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Gyeonggi Anyang Dongan-eul), declared his candidacy for the Supreme Council on the 17th, stating that he will "become a warrior of innovation and reform."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the same day, Lee held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and said, "The mandate of the 180-seat general election is both an opportunity and a crisis for the Democratic Party," adding, "I, Lee Jae-jung, will become a warrior of innovation and reform representing party members, ensuring that our Democratic Party leadership does not take the easy path or settle for comfortable positions."

He said, "Recently, voices expressing concern about the Democratic Party have been increasing. There are worries that we might fail to accomplish the era's task of reform and the people's mandate," and added, "Many are also worried about the atmosphere of the Democratic Party’s party convention in August. Since a new leadership will be elected, the convention should be a bold competition for innovation, but it is too quiet."

He continued, "I cannot agree with the atmosphere flowing toward a dull, unexciting, uninnovative, and unsurprising party convention, a predictable and non-dynamic convention," and said, "Some say that running for the Supreme Council in this convention has no great advantage, but the brightest moments of the Democratic Party were when no one was eager to step forward, yet someone did and devoted themselves to the party."

Lee then stated, "I will focus on two things. One is to become the reform speaker of the Democratic Party. I will be a loudspeaker representing the reform-minded party members," and "The other is to make our party a dynamic party with a strong backbone. I will take the lead so that the Democratic Party becomes a party representing youth and a party where women participate widely as key political actors."

After finishing his candidacy declaration, he held a Q&A session with reporters. When asked, "Among the candidates for party leader, who do you want to work with?" Lee replied, "I have not decided yet," adding, "Both are excellent. I hope it will be a time for healthy debate and dreaming, regardless of who becomes the worker."

When asked, "Did you meet with Representative Lee Nak-yeon or former Representative Kim Boo-kyum before deciding to run?" he said, "I heard their words but did not consult them about running."

Regarding next year’s Seoul and Busan mayoral nominations, Lee expressed the view that "The greatest responsibility of a political party in political activities is to show the future to the people themselves," indicating that nominations should be made.

In response to the suggestion that female lawmakers within the party need to play a role concerning the late Mayor Park Won-soon’s sexual harassment allegations, he answered, "It is not only the task of female lawmakers but the role of all politicians bearing the responsibilities of this era."

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