Sangmin Lee Joins People Power Party... Major Shift in Daejeon Political Scene

People Power Party Anticipates Expansion to the Chungcheong Region

Independent lawmaker Lee Sang-min, who left the Democratic Party of Korea, officially joined the People Power Party on the 8th. With Lee's recruitment, the People Power Party is expected to cause a seismic shift in the Daejeon regional general election landscape by bringing not only Daejeon Yuseong-eun, considered a weak area, but also Seo-gu Gap and Eul under its influence.

On the morning of the same day, Lee held an induction ceremony at the People Power Party Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly and stated, "I joined the People Power Party with the mindset of entering the tiger's den to catch the tiger."

Lee said, "I bear a heavy responsibility as I have joined an important political force that has played a pivotal role in the development of the Republic of Korea," and added, "the People Power Party must become the largest party in the National Assembly in this general election and govern stably during President Yoon Seok-yeol's remaining three-year term to contribute to national development." While avoiding a definitive answer about running in his constituency, Daejeon Yuseong-gu, Lee said, "I will take good care of my constituency, known as a tough area for the People Power Party, and contribute to the ruling party's victory in the general election by playing a role in the Chungcheong and central regions, including Sejong, Chungnam, and Chungbuk."

Lee is a politician who has protected the Daejeon Yuseong area by winning five consecutive terms since being elected as a member of the 17th National Assembly in 2004 as a member of the Uri Party. Except for the 18th term when he lost the nomination and moved to the Liberty Forward Party to win re-election, he has consistently nurtured the Democratic Party faction, including the Democratic United Party and the Democratic Party of Korea, as a stronghold of the opposition. Although this is a painful situation for the Democratic Party, there is a tendency to downplay Lee's departure and his joining of the People Power Party.

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Lee Sang-min, who left the Democratic Party and joined the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Ruling Party Hopes for Turning Point in Securing Influence in Daejeon and Chungcheong

On the other hand, the People Power Party has gained significant strength in securing influence in the Daejeon and Chungcheong regions. In the 21st general election, the People Power Party lost all seven constituencies in Daejeon to the Democratic Party, damaging its reputation. Currently, the party chairman position in Yuseong Gap, a ruling party area, is vacant, marking it as a weak area within the party. Han Dong-hoon, the People Power Party Emergency Committee chairman, chose Daejeon as his first local schedule this year on the 2nd, reflecting the intention to expand the party's reach into the Daejeon and Chungcheong regions.

With Lee's recruitment, the Daejeon area has emerged as the most watched constituency in the general election. The People Power Party is directly influencing Seo-gu Gap and Eul in Daejeon and expects ripple effects in Daedeok-gu as well. If Lee succeeds in his sixth-term bid, it is expected to help expand the ruling party's influence beyond Daejeon to the Chungcheong region. Lee's influence within the region remains strong. Last month, Democratic Party Yuseong city and district council members and regional committee operating members followed Lee in resigning together, strengthening his position.

The People Power Party aims to secure more than 10 seats in the Chungcheong region starting with Lee's recruitment. In the last general election, it held only 8 out of 28 seats in Chungcheong. The party plans to steadily secure votes in Cheonan Gap and Boryeong-Seocheon while expanding its reach to Sejong, a Democratic Party stronghold following Daejeon. It is particularly keeping a close watch on Sejong and Eumseong, areas dominated by younger voters and strongholds of the Democratic Party. However, Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said, "Lee has managed his constituency well, so there is a possibility that the People Power Party could gain an additional seat in Daejeon Yuseong. However, it remains to be seen whether this will have an impact across the entire Chungcheong region."

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