Won Hee-ryong: "I Will Actively Make Any Sacrifice Necessary for the People and the Party"

Speculation on Lee Jae-myung's Candidacy in Gyeyang
"Not a Situation to Seriously Consider"

On the 21st, Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said regarding next year's general election, "If it is something necessary for the people and our party, I believe we must actively take on any challenge and sacrifice."

After attending the 'Special Law on the Maintenance of Aging Planned Cities' meeting hosted by the ruling party at the National Assembly that day, Minister Won responded to reporters' questions about his statement, "I will face the strongest opponent in the most difficult region in next year's general election," saying, "I bear responsibility as a politician as well as a minister."

Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is greeting at a residents' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st to urge the passage of the Special Act on the Maintenance of Aging Planned Cities within the year. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Recently, as reports from close aides that Minister Won said he would "face the strongest opponent" have continued, speculation has arisen that he might run in Incheon Gyeyang, the constituency of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. There are also expectations that he will play a central role in the election, such as serving as the party's election countermeasures committee chairman.

Regarding questions about the timing and region of his candidacy, Minister Won said, "It is not yet a situation to seriously consider it, and as a current minister, I must focus on my duties, and I think it is inappropriate to handle such matters in that way." He added, "I believe there will be a proper time and situation for that." He emphasized, "I am a current minister, and since I must concentrate on various livelihood tasks I am currently responsible for, nothing has been discussed or decided, and it is not a situation for that."

Minister Won explained that he has not received any specific 'sacrifice demands' from the party. He said, "We need to conduct a deeper review of what role is most necessary for the country right now and discuss it with the party before deciding, but nothing concrete has been discussed with the party yet."

He continued, "Since the appointing authority and the ruling party have their intentions, if there is a change in the position and role I should take, I will seriously consider and discuss it then and clearly inform you all," adding, "It has not yet been decided when or how that will happen."

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