[Hot Interview] Non-candidate Lee Chae-ik "Earnestly Wishing Success for Yoon Seok-yeol Government... Will Set an Example"

3-Term Ulsan Nam-gu Gap Incumbent Lee Chae-ik Interview
On the 6th, 'Left Party to Become Independent' → Will Not Run in General Election

"I have declared my non-candidacy for the general election by my own decision for the success of the Yoon Suk-yeol government and the victory of the party. I feel very happy."

On the 11th, Lee Chae-ik, a member of the People Power Party, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "I have spent my whole life with the People Power Party, but as the chairman of the Ulsan City Party Committee, I will set an example."

Rep. Lee Chae-ik of the People Power Party announced on the 11th that he will not run in the 22nd general election. A photo of Rep. Lee meeting with local residents. (Source: Rep. Lee Chae-ik's Facebook)

The special attention on the incumbent lawmaker Lee’s declaration of non-candidacy is because last week he was the first incumbent lawmaker to effectively announce his intention to leave the party. On the 5th, when his constituency, Ulsan Nam-gu Gap, was designated as a 'People’s Recommendation System' district, effectively cutting him off from nomination, Lee expressed his discontent by indicating he would leave the party and run as an independent. At that time, through his social network service (SNS), he said, "The People Power Party has abandoned me. I will never be discouraged," and "Even if I leave for a while, I will return victorious."

Since he had already officially declared his intention to run for a fourth term, it seemed difficult for Lee to accept the decision of the nomination committee. On the 6th of last month, Lee held a press conference in Ulsan and announced his candidacy for the 22nd general election. At the press conference, he stated, "Along with the success of the Yoon Suk-yeol government, I will build a trustworthy People Power Party for the people and make Ulsan a globally recognized center of economy, culture, and national defense." As a four-term lawmaker, he also emphasized, "I will block the legislative rampage of the major opposition party and promote three major reforms in labor, education, and pensions."

If Lee had actually left the party, he would have been the first incumbent lawmaker to leave the party in protest of the nomination. However, he suddenly changed his position in less than a week. He shifted from leaving the party and running as an independent to declaring non-candidacy for the 22nd general election. He said, "Even if I don’t run, isn’t it fine if younger politicians do well?" and "I will dedicate myself to the party." In effect, he accepted the cut-off. At the non-candidacy press conference that day, he also said, "If the nominee for Nam-gu Gap is confirmed, I will spare no effort to help the nominee win."

When asked if he had been contacted by the nomination committee or others, Lee cut off the question by saying, "It was my own decision." He said, "Because I am so desperate for the success of the Yoon Suk-yeol government, I decided not to run," and "There may be various personal thoughts, but I made this decision for the victory of our party."

Lee continued, "I feel very happy. No one forced me to do this; it was my own decision, so I feel very good." He emphasized, "Anyway, I will devote everything I have for the success of our Yoon Suk-yeol government," and "I will work hard for the victory of the 22nd general election."

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