Lee Jin-suk, excluded from Daegu mayoral race, open to running in tough Seoul area constituency

Former Korea Communications Commission Chairperson Lee Jin-suk has declared her intention to step aside from the Daegu mayoral race, a decision that signals a strategic shift in her political trajectory. Her announcement, made after being excluded from the People Power Party's nomination for the Daegu mayoral candidacy, opens the door for her to contest a more challenging electoral battleground, potentially in the 수도권 (Seoul metropolitan area).

Lee's statement, "I will not refuse if the party wants me to run in a difficult area in the Seoul metropolitan area," suggests a strong sense of party loyalty and a willingness to prioritize the party's needs over personal ambition. This move comes after a meeting with interim party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, who reportedly asked her to join the fight against the "unreasonable Democratic Party government." Her readiness to take on a "험지" (difficult constituency) underscores her commitment to the party's cause, even if it means facing a tougher electoral challenge.

While Lee has accepted the party's decision regarding the Daegu nomination, she has also pointed to shared responsibility among party leadership, including Jang Dong-hyuk, for her exclusion. However, she emphasizes the need for party unity in the upcoming by-elections, stating that any leadership change at this juncture would cause significant chaos. This pragmatic stance highlights her focus on the immediate electoral goals, prioritizing a united front over internal disputes. The situation reflects the complex internal dynamics of the People Power Party as it gears up for crucial by-elections.