Lee Yong Announces Candidacy for Hanam-gap: "Yoon Administration Has Hurt the People... I Will Reflect and Take Responsibility"

"Party-Level Resolution to Break with Yoon, I Should Go Along"

Former lawmaker Lee Yong has officially begun his campaign as the People Power Party candidate for Hanam Gap in the upcoming National Assembly by-election, scheduled for June 3. Lee, who previously served as chief aide during the creation of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, issued an apology regarding the December 3 Martial Law, stating, "I will also take responsibility in the face of the Yoon administration's failures."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Lee Yong is announcing his candidacy for the by-election of the National Assembly in Hanam Gap, Gyeonggi Province, at the National Assembly communication office on the 6th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the morning of the 6th, Lee held a press conference at the National Assembly communication office, where he announced his candidacy. He said, "During the 20th presidential election, I was chief aide to candidate Yoon. Creating an administration is the very reason a political party exists, and as a member of the People Power Party in the National Assembly, I fulfilled my responsibilities."

He continued, "However, now that this administration has disappointed and hurt the public, I too am not free from responsibility." He added, "I am sorry. I sincerely apologize," and stated, "I will not make excuses. I will not hide." He further emphasized, "I will not avoid the admonishment the people deliver."

During his remarks, Lee was visibly emotional and shed tears. He explained, "I will change, starting with myself," and added, "I will take responsibility where it is due and correct what must be corrected." He went on to say, "I will rebuild the broken trust not just with words, but through action."

After the press conference, Lee was asked by reporters whether he agreed with the party-level resolution on Jeol-yoon (absolute severance from Yoon) adopted in March. He responded, "If the entire People Power Party parliamentary group has resolved to sever ties, then as a member of the party, I believe I should stand with them."

Lee also said, "Even after losing in the last general election, I did not leave Hanam," explaining, "Just because the election ended does not mean my promises to the citizens have ended." He added, "I will stop the runaway behavior of the Democratic Party of Korea and keep the arrogance of the Lee Jaemyung administration in check. I will restore the fundamentals of the rule of law, fairness, and liberal democracy."

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