Lee Jin-sook Hosts Book Launch in Daegu
Addresses Questions About Mayoral Candidacy
Maintains Cautious Stance, Avoids Direct Response
Former Korea Communications Commission Chairperson Lee Jin-sook has re-entered the political arena with a book launch event in Daegu. When questioned about her potential run for Daegu mayor, she exercised caution, citing concerns over possible election law violations. Lee held her book launch on the afternoon of February 9 at the Grand Hotel in Daegu. Prior to the event, she fielded questions from reporters regarding her mayoral aspirations. In response to inquiries, Lee stated, “Discussing a mayoral run here could potentially violate election laws,” thus sidestepping a direct answer. She further explained, “Candidacy plans can change, so it wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss that here.”
Lee emphasized, “Today’s book launch is an opportunity to share the essence of my work with readers.” While she refrained from official declarations, the event’s atmosphere was ripe for political speculation. A close associate of Lee revealed, “She is considering a run for Daegu mayor, and if Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province merge administratively, she plans to run for the unified leadership position.”
During the launch, Lee highlighted her ties to Daegu, stating, “Although I was born in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, I attended school in Daegu from second grade through university.” She expressed her deep connection to the city, saying, “Daegu truly shaped my DNA.” Lee added, “Daegu embodies the conservative values of responsibility, order, community spirit, respect for tradition, and perseverance. It’s time to revitalize that pride.” She emphasized, “We must consider how to safeguard our hard-won democracy and contribute to South Korea’s future.”
The book launch attracted numerous political figures, with an estimated 800 attendees. Notably present were former Dong-gu Mayor Lee Jae-man and former National Assembly member Hong Seok-jun, both potential mayoral candidates, fueling speculation. Local political circles interpreted the event as a “prelude” to a potential mayoral campaign. Rumors of Lee’s candidacy have circulated in Daegu for some time. Given that she contemplated running in the 2022 local elections, there’s growing interest in whether this book launch signals her return to the political forefront. As a result, many are watching closely to see how Lee will navigate her political decisions and what impact she might have on the upcoming Daegu mayoral race.
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