"My Full Support... A Prepared Person" Lim Jong-seok Publicly Supports Woo Sang-ho

Im Jong-seok, former Chief of Staff to the President. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Former Presidential Chief of Staff Lim Jong-seok declared public support for Woo Sang-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 4th, drawing a line under rumors of his own candidacy for Seoul mayor.

Earlier, Representative Woo officially announced his candidacy for the Seoul mayoral by-election scheduled for April, becoming the first ruling party figure to do so.

In a post on his Facebook on the same day, former Chief of Staff Lim said, "I actively encouraged my brother Woo Sang-ho to run for Seoul mayor," adding, "There are people who talk to me about running for mayor, but every time, I say, 'I wholeheartedly support Representative Woo Sang-ho.'"

Former Chief of Staff Lim evaluated, "Woo Sang-ho was at the center of the June Democratic Uprising in 1987 that determined the fate of democracy in South Korea, and during the 2016 presidential impeachment, Woo Sang-ho, the floor leader, was at the center of completing the voting procedure through a three-party agreement."

He continued, "Seoul is a very complex city. It needs leadership like that of a manager who led NC to victory, not a 10-win pitcher throwing fastballs or a cleanup hitter with 30 home runs," emphasizing, "It requires the ability to conduct an orchestra, not the genius of a famous violinist."

He added, "A safe city, a warm city, a city that dreams, and a breathing city have quietly become the four major visions of Seoul, and the person who created this vision during the 2014 campaign was none other than Woo Sang-ho."

In conclusion, he asked, "Then why is his approval rating not rising?" and added, "Woo Sang-ho is not a stubborn old man. He is genuinely a good person."

Meanwhile, as former Chief of Staff Lim drew a line under the Seoul mayoral by-election, there are also speculations that he might be considering the presidential election.

On the same day, Representative Woo appeared on BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' and publicly proposed that former Chief of Staff Lim run in the 2022 20th presidential election.

Representative Woo openly encouraged former Chief of Staff Lim's presidential candidacy, saying, "I think you should jump into the presidential race and give it your all."

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