Park Young-sun Steps Up to Assist Lee Jae-myung's Campaign Headquarters

Resuming Political Activities with Joining the Predecessor Committee
Candidate Lee Jae-myung Tests Negative for COVID-19

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and Democratic Party Seoul mayoral candidate Park Young-sun are seen holding hands on the 24th at the office of National Assembly member In Jae-geun./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Koo Chae-eun and Jeon Jin-young] Former Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun was appointed on the 15th as the Chairperson of the Digital Transformation Committee directly under the Democratic Party’s election campaign headquarters for candidate Lee Jae-myung. After facing defeat in the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election, Park had been staying in the U.S. since September as a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank. She is expected to return to Korea this week and attend official party meetings starting next week.

Ko Yong-jin, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party’s campaign headquarters, said at a briefing at the Yeouido Democratic Party office that morning, “The appointment of former Minister Park was highly demanded by the SME and venture industry, and there were many voices within the party calling for it. We expect her to directly oversee key national visions such as growth, fairness, and jobs, laying the groundwork for victory.” Although Park was originally scheduled to stay in the U.S. until January next year, she has decided to resume political activities early by joining the campaign headquarters. Furthermore, her appointment drew even more attention as it was decided shortly after former Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan issued a ‘general mobilization order’ on the 13th, saying, “It is time for our camp members to step forward fully.”

Meanwhile, candidate Lee, who had been waiting for COVID-19 test results after contact with a confirmed case during a regional visit, tested negative on the 15th. The previously uncertain official schedule of the election campaign headquarters will also resume. Kwon Hyuk-ki, deputy head of public relations for the campaign headquarters, announced at a briefing at the party office that day, “Candidate Lee and his spouse Kim Hye-kyung received notification of negative results via text message.” Lee will visit Boramae Hospital in Seoul at 2 p.m. that day and resume official activities.

Boramae Hospital is preparing to expand hospital beds in response to the increasing trend of critically ill patients. Candidate Lee plans to encourage medical staff working at screening clinics and critical care beds and listen to their difficulties. Later, at 8 p.m., he will conduct a YouTube live broadcast titled ‘Jaemyung’s Village Coffee Shop Vlog.’ Candidate Lee and Kim canceled all scheduled events after undergoing PCR tests the previous day, following contact with a party official who tested positive for COVID-19 during their visit to the Dabudong War Memorial in Chilgok County, Gyeongbuk, on the 11th.

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