Lee Kwang-jae Declares Not to Run for Gangwon Governor... “I Will Support Woo Sang-ho, I Will Go to the ‘Difficult Area’ Bundang”

Ahead of the local elections on June 3, Lee Kwang-jae, a former Gangwon governor who was considered a strong candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea, declared his sudden decision not to run on the 1st. He announced his intention to support his 'political comrade' Woo Sang-ho, the former Chief of Staff to the President, instead of running himself, thereby clarifying the primary race structure.

On that day, Lee announced through his Facebook, “Gangwon Province is a place of sweat and tears for me, so I have deep concerns and pain, but I have made a decision,” and stated, “I will help Chief Woo Sang-ho win the Gangwon governor election.”

The two, who are key figures of the '86 Group' that participated in the democratization movement of the 1980s, with Lee being from the 1983 class and Woo from the 1981 class of Yonsei University, have been mentioned as strong competitors within the party for this election. However, as Lee stated, “I will choose the path of going together rather than going alone,” he stepped back, causing the candidate pool for Gangwon governor to rapidly shift towards Woo.

Lee cited 'party unity' and 'victory in the local elections' as the justification for his decision not to run. He emphasized, “We must win the local elections held just one year after the establishment of the Lee Jae-myung government to stabilize the country,” and added, “In the face of crises such as the US-China hegemonic war, I will take the lead in resolving the unity of the ruling Democratic Party and become the seed of victory.”

Political circles are paying attention to Lee's decision to continue his political challenge in Bundang Gap, Gyeonggi Province, instead of seizing the 'opportunity' of being Gangwon governor. Immediately after his declaration of not running, he attended a meeting of the Bundang Gap district committee, which he chairs, expressing his determination to 'defend Bundang'.

He stated, “Just as President Roh Moo-hyun challenged in Busan, a difficult area instead of the safe Jongno, I will also choose a more difficult path,” reinforcing his resolve to break through the difficult area. Despite experiencing setbacks in the 2022 Gangwon governor election and the 2024 general election in Bundang Gap, he has chosen to challenge the difficult area again, indicating his intention to elevate his political stature.

Woo immediately responded. He expressed his gratitude on Facebook, saying, “Thank you for your difficult decision,” and added, “I feel a heavy responsibility because I know your sincerity for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government.” Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae also praised Lee, stating, “I respect your self-sacrificing and big-hearted decision for the party before self.”

A local political insider analyzed, “With Lee's decision not to run, the noise surrounding the Gangwon governor primary within the Democratic Party has disappeared,” but added, “The key question is how Lee's chosen 'Bundang difficult area theory' will act as a variable for his political position in the future.”