Lee Nak-yeon has returned to the next Presidential race

By Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik with Vice Chairman Song Na-ra

Former Chairman Lee Nak-yeon of the main opposition Democratic Party recently returned to Korea from his stay in the United States.

Vice Chairman Song Na-ra of The Korea Post media recently met with former Chairman Lee. Lee looked hale and hearty and full of energy and expectations.
The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language news media, have met with Chairman Lee on a number of occasions, including the times when he was the governor of Jeollanam-do Province.

On last June 24, Lee returned home from a year-long visit to the George Washington University in the United States. Reports say that the arrivals hall of Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 was packed with more than 1,500 supporters (according to Lee's estimate) who had traveled to the airport to see Lee in person.

According to reports, the supporters, who came from all parts of the country, waited for Lee at the airport with banners saying "We missed you!" and "Welcome home!"

Active members of the National Assembly close to Lee, including Democratic Party members Kim Chul-min, Park Young-soon, Seol-hoon, Yoon Young-chan, Kae-ho Lee, and Byung-hoon Lee, were also at the airport to greet Lee.

On the day when Lee appeared at the arrival hall, his supporters cheered and chanted "Lee Nak-yeon, Lee Nam-yeon, Lee Nak-yeon!”

Lee addressed the supporters, who held signs such as “Lee Nak-yeon, Hope and Dream for the Future of Korea!” and “We Will Reach Our Goal with Lee Nak-yeon!” Lee said, "I'm sorry that we were separated while you were suffering. I will not leave your side from now on."

Lee said: "Korea has reached the point where the country is not worried about the people, but the people are worried about the country. I am also responsible for the fact that Korea has reached this point. I will fulfill my part of the responsibility."

"When I was lonely and struggling, it was hard to bear without you, and I will not forget your warmth," Lee told his supporters, adding, "I will definitely create an opportunity to meet and talk to you in a calm manner."

As Lee continued to speak for about 10 minutes, supporters chanted, "Please rebuild Korea" and "Lee Nak-yeon is next" in support of Lee. After her speech, Lee shook hands with supporters one by one and left the airport.

Lee's return to public life is likely to be used as an excuse for a "non-Jae Myung-gye" political platform ahead of next year's general election.

However, it is judged by those inside and outside the party that Lee will stay away from intra-party politics for the time being, as excessive political activities could fuel factional conflicts.

At this time, it might not be amiss to learn a bit more about Chairman Lee. Wikipedia has an adequate measure of information on Lee:

Lee was born on Dec. 20, 1952, served as the 45th Prime Minister of Korea from 2017 to 2000, he is the longest-serving prime minister since the Constitution of Korea was last revised in 1987.

Lee previously held the governorship of Jeollanam-do province from 2014 to 2017, a stronghold of his party. Before serving as governor, he had worked as a journalist for over 20 years and served as a member of the National Assembly for four terms.

Lee was chosen for the position of Prime Minister by President Moon Jae-in to keep his campaign promise to appoint his de facto deputy from Honam region (Jeolla provinces). During his tenure as Prime Minister, Lee became well-known for his forceful exchanges with opposition party leaders and adeptness at communicating with citizens.

Prior to and following his victory in the crucial Jongno district in the 2020 legislative election against conservative Hwang Kyo-ahn he was once considered a likely nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2022 South Korean presidential election. He lost the primary to Lee Jae-myung in October 2021.

Early life and education:

Lee was born on 20 December 1952 in Yeonggwang County in South Jeolla Province. He is the 22nd generation descendant of Grand Prince Wanpung, the 1st son of Yi Jachun as well the older brother of Taejo who is known to be the first King of Joseon.

After graduating from Seoul National University with a degree in law, he shortly worked at investment trust. From the late 1970s to 2000, he worked as a journalist for the daily Dong-a Ilbo newspaper for 21 years. From 1989 to 1993, he was stationed in Tokyo as its correspondent[13] during which he reported the inauguration of new Japanese monarch Akihito.[14]

Early political career:

Lee entered politics in 2000 "based on his ties with former President Kim Dae-jung he formed while covering politics. Following his departure from the Dong-a Ilbo he was elected as a member of the National Assembly in 2000 and served for four terms.[5]

He also served as a spokesperson for former President Roh Moo-hyun when Roh was the President-elect in 2002. Roh chose Lee's draft speech for his presidential inauguration among multiple drafts and delivered the speech without changing a word Lee wrote. Lee was only one of two parliamentarians who voted against the impeachment of President Roh despite of different party.

Lee is seen as having close ties with key Japanese politicians, having served many years as a senior member in the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union. Lee speaks fluent Japanese.

He left office in the middle of his fourth term in 2014 to successfully run for governor of South Jeolla Province. Lee received around 60% approval rating throughout his term before leaving the office in May 2017.

In addition to securing unprecedented amount of investment to the least developed region in the country, Lee is well known for introducing "100 won taxi" policy which improved mobility of its citizens by funding taxis to drive its citizens to the nearest bus stop for 100 won which is less than a dime.]

He is also known for his love of Makkeolli (commonly Korean rice wine) which he used to facilitate communication with his provincial government employees who nicknamed him "Manager Lee" for his attention to detail.

In September 2020, as part of Lee's party leader campaign promise to transform the party vigilant to societal issues and prepare the country's future, Lee launched seven task forces dedicated to specific issues from power institution and political reforms to youth affairs and industrial safety and appointed Supreme Council members apart from himself and floor leader as their chairpersons by their expertise. He also launched one for social tragedy countermeasures led by an assembly member from Ansan, Jeon Hae-cheol, who previously chaired party's Sewol disaster committee.

In October the party founded "Korean Peninsula Task to support ongoing momentum in Korean peninsula towards peace irrespective of leadership changes in Japan and United States and appointed senior assembly members with expertise in foreign and inter-Korean relations as its members.

On 9 March 2021, exactly a year before the 2022 Presidential election in Korea, Lee resigned from the leader of his party triggering leadership by-election and effectively announcing his candidacy for President.

Lee is married with a son. Lee Nak-yon's bongwan (family seat) is the Jeonju Yi clan.

He is also the 22nd-generation descendant of Grand Prince Wanpung who was the elder half-brother of King Taejo of Joseon, the founder of the Joseon Kingdom. He is a member of the South Korean Presbyterian Church.