[Exclusive] Lee Jae-myung to Publish a Book... Official Candidacy Announcement Imminent

Autobiographical Essay Collection
Revised and Expanded Edition Published
Writing Process Nearing Completion
Announcement of Candidacy Imminent

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, is set to publish an autobiographical essay collection as early as this month. It is a revised and expanded edition of "Lee Jae-myung Does It," which was published during his campaign for the 19th presidential election. The new edition adds major political and economic events from February 2017, when the first edition was published, up to the first half of this year, and strengthens his governance philosophy in line with the changed zeitgeist. Lee is reportedly in the final stages of writing.

Typically, the publication of a book by a presidential candidate is interpreted as an official declaration of candidacy. As the timing of the candidacy announcement approaches, publishing a book allows the candidate to sincerely present policy visions and life stories to voters. The book publication itself is often seen as a signal marking the official start of a presidential campaign. Lee also published autobiographical essays "Lee Jae-myung Does It" and "Lee Jae-myung's Crooked Arm" ahead of the 19th presidential election in 2017 and announced his presidential bid.

In his first autobiographical essay "Lee Jae-myung Does It," he wrote about his impoverished childhood working in a factory where he sustained a disability and even attempted suicide, his involvement in civic movements as a human rights lawyer, his experiences after two electoral defeats before being elected mayor of Seongnam and implementing policies, as well as his political philosophy and convictions about a fair society.

Meanwhile, the registration period for preliminary candidates in the Democratic Party's presidential primary is expected to be from June 23 to 25, with the preliminary primary scheduled between June 30 and July 2. Accordingly, Lee's official declaration of candidacy is anticipated around late June to early July.

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