Lee Hye-hoon: "Presidential candidates should not use the Seoul mayoral position as a stepping stone"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] On the 19th, former People Power Party lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon, who announced her candidacy, raised her voice saying, "Those aiming for the presidency should not use this place (Seoul) as a stepping stone." This appears to be in response to the possibility of opposition presidential candidates running for Seoul mayor.

After announcing her candidacy at the regular seminar of 'Towards a Better World (Mapo Forum)' held at Mapo Hyundai Building in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Lee told reporters, "If someone who was heading toward the presidency wants to run for Seoul mayor, they should give up the presidential race and focus entirely on the mayoral position."

On the same day, she declared her candidacy, saying, "So far, the position of Seoul mayor has been perceived as a stepping stone for the presidency, so mayors have focused on building their own brand and consolidating their ruling base, neglecting the lives of Seoul citizens, who should be the top priority. We need an economic mayor to end 'political Seoul.'"

Lee said, "Since political mayors have damaged Seoul until now, it's time to move to an economic mayor," adding, "The position of Seoul mayor should not be a stopover to somewhere else (the Blue House) that ruins the lives of Seoul citizens."

Regarding the controversy over additional points for female candidates in the by-election candidate selection process, she said, "Questioning why additional points for women are necessary shows a complete lack of consideration for women," adding, "Men thinking 'Women have not really faced discrimination' is incomprehensible from a woman's perspective."

She continued, "Especially in politics, our society is dominated by money, organizations, connections, and nepotism, from which women are largely excluded," and said, "Those who argue that additional points for women in primaries are unnecessary clearly lack consideration for women, who are excluded from closed-door politics and nepotism."

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