Democratic Party Staff Union Requests Strategic Nomination of Former Senior Administrative Officer Kwangsoo Lee to Leader Jeong Cheongrae

Letter to Be Submitted to Party Leader
"Fair Evaluation Requested for Office Staff's Contributions"
Former Blue House Officials to Run in By-Elections

The Office Workers' Union of the Democratic Party of Korea is submitting a proposal to Representative Jeong Cheongrae, requesting that Kwangsoo Lee, former Senior Administrative Officer at the Office of Political Affairs at the Blue House (currently Secretary-General of the Chungbuk Provincial Party), be considered as a candidate for the strategic nomination in the June 3 by-election.

According to the proposal obtained by The Asia Business Daily on April 23, the union stated to Representative Jeong, "It is necessary to strategically review and make decisions regarding talented individuals from among the party staff who have dedicated themselves to the party."

Kwangsoo Lee, Former Senior Administrative Officer at the Office of Political Affairs, the Blue House. (right)

The union emphasized, "Democratic Party staff members have devoted themselves to the party for a long time in positions that often go unnoticed," and added, "They have always defended the party at the forefront of organization and practical work during every election, and party staff have always been present at critical moments, including changes in government." They further requested, "We ask that the efforts and value of these dedicated party staff members be justly recognized."

Kwangsoo Lee has officially announced his candidacy to run in the Gunsan-Gimje-Buan district in North Jeolla Province, a seat that is expected to become vacant as Assemblyman Lee Wontack has been nominated as candidate for North Jeolla Governor. In a phone interview, Lee said, "After deciding to run, I informed officials at the Blue House, Representative Jeong, and former floor leader Han Byungdo of my intention."

Lee is known as an expert in organization and political affairs, having worked for 15 years as a party staff member. He has been awarded the top-level commendation three times during the terms of party leaders Han-Gil Kim, Choo Mi-ae, and Lee Jaemyung. Born in Gimje, he attended elementary, middle, high school, and university in the region. He entered politics through his activities in Nosamo (an organization supporting former President Roh Moo-hyun).

In the same constituency, Park Jiwon, a Supreme Council member who started as an ordinary party member, is also being mentioned as a potential candidate. Park is known to have family ties in Gimje through his spouse.

A member of the party leadership explained, "Except for strategic regions such as Ulsan Nam-gap and Busan Buk-gap, it is highly likely that candidates with local roots will be selected for strategic nominations."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has completed its nominations for 16 metropolitan mayors and governors and has begun strategic nominations for the by-elections. As the party is scheduled to announce additional strategic candidates today, it appears that many former Blue House officials will be running in this by-election. Notable potential candidates include Hajungwoo, Chief of AI Future Planning (Busan Buk-gap), Jeon Eunsu, spokesperson (Chungnam Asan-eul), Kim Namjun, former spokesperson (Incheon Gyeyang-eul), Kim Namkook, former Digital Communication Secretary (Gyeonggi Ansan-gap), and Ko Yugi, administrative officer (Jeju Seogwipo).

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