Lee Nak-yon

Lee Nak-yon (Korean: 이낙연; Hanja: 李洛淵; born 20 December 1952),[1][2][3] also known as Lee Nak-yeon, is a South Korean politician who served as the 41st Prime Minister of South Korea from 2017 to 2020.[4][5] A member of the Democratic Party of Korea, he is the longest-serving prime minister since the Constitution of South Korea was last revised in 1987.[6] Lee previously held the governorship of Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla) province from 2014 to 2017, a stronghold of his party.[4] Before serving as governor, he worked as a journalist for over 20 years and served as a member of the National Assembly for four terms.

Lee Nak-yon
이낙연
Member of the National Assembly
In office
30 May 2020  15 September 2021
Preceded byChung Sye-kyun
Succeeded byChoi Jae-hyung
ConstituencySeoulJongno
In office
30 May 2000  15 May 2014
Preceded byKim In-gon
Succeeded byLee Gae-ho
ConstituencySouth Jeolla ProvinceDamyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang and Jangseong
41st Prime Minister of South Korea
In office
31 May 2017  14 January 2020
PresidentMoon Jae-in
DeputyKim Dong-yeon
Kim Sang-gon
Yoo Eun-hae
Hong Nam-ki
Preceded byHwang Kyo-ahn
Yoo Il-ho (Acting)
Succeeded byChung Sye-kyun
Leader of the Democratic Party
In office
29 August 2020  9 March 2021
Preceded byLee Hae-chan
Succeeded byKim Tae-nyeon (acting)
Song Young-gil
37th Governor of South Jeolla Province
In office
1 July 2014  10 May 2017
Preceded byPark Jun-young
Succeeded byKim Yung-rok
Personal details
Born (1952-12-20) 20 December 1952
Yeonggwang, South Korea
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseKim Suk-hee
Children1
EducationSeoul National University (LLB)
Signature
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationI Nagyeon
McCune–ReischauerRi Ragyŏn

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.[7] During his tenure as Prime Minister, Lee became well-known for his forceful exchanges with opposition party leaders and adeptness at communicating with citizens.[8] Prior to and following his victory in the crucial Jongno district in the 2020 legislative election against conservative Hwang Kyo-ahn, another probable presidential candidate, he was once considered a likely nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2022 South Korean presidential election.[9][10] He lost the primary to Lee Jae-myung in October 2021.[11]

PM Lee Nak-yon speaking at the University of Pennsylvania in 2023.

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.[12] 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."[15] 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.[16] Roh chose Lee's draft speech for his presidential inauguration among multiple drafts and delivered the speech without changing a word Lee wrote.[17] Lee was only one of two parliamentarians who voted against the impeachment of President Roh despite of different party membership.[18][19] 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.[20]

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.[21] 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.[22] He is also known for his love of Makgeolli, a Korean traditional rice wine, which he used to facilitate communication with his provincial government employees[23] who nicknamed him "Manager Lee" for his attention to detail.[24]

Prime Minister

On his first day in office, President Moon nominated Lee as his first Prime Minister of South Korea right after his inaugural ceremony. Lee resigned from South Jeolla Provincial Governorship on the same day. Until Lee's nomination was confirmed by the parliament, Hwang Kyo-ahn, the last prime minister under impeached-and-removed president Park Geun-hye, kept his place. Lee referenced Makgeolli when emphasising his intention to work with opposition parties[25] and for the people.[26]

On 25 June, Lee urged North Korea to release their prisoners. On 27 July, he criticized the accord regarding ‘comfort women’.[27] On 16 August, Lee reacted negatively to calls for South Korea to possess nuclear weapons, saying the move would undermine Seoul's calls for North Korea to denuclearize, trigger a nuclear arms race and put the country under international sanctions. Reflecting such calls, the main opposition Liberty Korea Party adopted a demand for the redeployment of US tactical nuclear arms as its official party line during a general meeting of its lawmakers.[28] On 29 November, Lee raised concerns that cryptocurrencies were corrupting the youth of South Korea, remarking “There are cases in which young Koreans including students are jumping in to make quick money and virtual currencies are used in illegal activities like drug dealing or multi-level marketing for frauds”.

Leader of the Democratic Party

2020 South Korean legislative election

In 2020 election, Lee stood for Jongno constituency and defeated the UFP President Hwang Kyo-ahn.[29] He took two roles in his party - co-chair of 2020 general election campaign with the other co-chair being then-party leader Lee Hae-chan[30] and the chair of the committee "to overcome the national crisis" caused by Covid-19 pandemic.[31][32] With the party leader Lee Hae-chan hospitalised,[33] Lee traveled across the nation to support his party candidates and was regarded as the de facto commander of his party's campaign in the election.[34][35][36] The party increased its share at the parliament to a level that it does not require other parties' votes for enacting the laws.

2020 Democratic Party of Korea leadership election

In July 2020 Lee announced his campaign for the leader of his party, Democratic Party, highlighting his experiences dealing with "crises" that are much needed in transitioning into post-covid 19 era.[37] If elected, Lee is likely to serve as party leader for 7 months - less than a half of its fixed tenure - following the party rule that mandates party's presidential candidate to resign from party leadership. In this regard, Lee stressed his passion for his calling to be the party leader that he will work like a "flame" during these period.[38] In August 2020 he was elected as the party leader earning more than half of votes in every category - party delegates, its members, non-voting members and public opinion polls.[39]

COVID-19 Response

He relaunched the Covid-19 committee to support the government's efforts to contain the virus and prepare for "post-Covid-19 era."[40] With President Moon praising the relationship between the government and the ruling party "fantastic,"[41] they quickly concluded long-debated issue of secondary COVID-19 relief fund that it should be given to those who are more severely impacted by the pandemic not to all people, which was strongly argued by Gyeonggi Provincial Governor Lee Jae-myung, another presidential contender of his party.[42][43][44] The "Covid-19 committee" was merged with "K New Deal committee" which was also installed to support government's efforts to revitalise the economy and boost its transition into digital and green society.[45]

Supreme Council and Cabinet

He appointed senior posts of his party including two remaining members of its Supreme Council he can appoint. Designation of 24-years-old Park Seong-min as one of Supreme Council members surprised many.[46] He also created four spokesperson posts for specific issues - youth, security, economy and international affairs.[47]

Ethics and Reforming the Party

On 16 September he launched the independent investigative body of the party (Korean: 윤리감찰단) to produce reports on alleged misconduct of its members to its ethics committee for disciplinary actions as promised during leadership campaign and appointed former judge Choi Ki-sang, assembly member from Geumcheon District, as its chair.[48] The first members to be investigated are Lee Sang-jik and Kim Hong-gul. Lee is accused of several allegations linked to Eastar Jet he founded and Kim his real estate in Seoul.[49] Yoon Mee-hyang who was recruited by the party for her advocacy work for "comfort women" and now accused of using donations for her own gain will not be investigated as she is already indicted by the state prosecutor and suspended of party membership and titles.[49] On 18 September Lee tabled a motion to expel Kim who is a son of Kim Dae-jung, the first President the party has ever produced, and was recruited for his work on inter-Korean relations in civil societies for refusing to cooperate with the investigative body to the Supreme Council and it was adopted.[50][51]

In October 2020, Lee brought up the idea of "committee to reform the party (Korean: 혁신위)" which resembles one led by Kim Sang-gon in 2015 under then-party leader Moon Jae-in. If installed, it is likely to be tasked with introducing measures to reform the nomination process, strengthen its ethics code and prepare the longevity of the party.[52] On 14 October, the party's Supreme Council passed the motion to establish such committee and appoint Kim Jong-min as its chairperson.[53]

Task forces

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.[54] 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.[55]

In October the party founded "Korean Peninsula Task force (Korean: 한반도TF)" 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 and Song Young-gil, the chair of the Assembly's Foreign and Unification Committee, its chair.[56]

2021 South Korean by-elections

Lee will lead the party's campaign in local by-elections in April 2021 - most prominently in two of the country's populous cities of Seoul and Busan - as a co-standing head of the campaign with the other being the party's floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon.[57] He will also lead the party's temporary special committee for new airport on Busan's Gadeokdo Island ensuring its construction and operation by 2030 World Expo in Busan upon newly passed special law on this new airport and as part of development strategy of the country's southeastern region.[58]

Legislative achievements

During his time as party leader, the National Assembly passed the budget for year 2021 within the constitutionally mandated deadline - the first time to do so in six years.[59] During his "flame"-like 6 months, the Democratic Party passed a total of 422 laws[60] with or without the support from the opposition parties which include key reforms bill such as revising the laws for Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and National Intelligence Service.[61] Lee described these achievements as the biggest reforms taken into effect since 1987, the year of June Struggle and the latest Constitution revision as such reforms were often blocked by opposition parties in the parliament.[62][63]

Presidential campaign

On 9 March 2021, exactly a year before the 2022 South Korean presidential election, Lee resigned from the leader of his party triggering leadership by-election and effectively announcing his candidacy for president. He will continue to lead party's campaign in local by-elections in April 2021.[60] After the party's defeat in this election, all remaining members of the party leadership resigned. Lee announced he will have some time for self-reflection.[64] After new leadership members were elected in May 2021, he met with representatives of SMEs and large corporations urging them to take part in solving youth unemployment and breaking his silence.[65][66]

In October 2021, he lost the party primary to Lee Jae-myung.[67]

Personal life

Lee is married with a son. Lee Nak-yon's bon-gwan 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 Joseon Kingdom. He is a member of the South Korean Presbyterian Church.

Electoral history

Election Year Post Party Affiliation Votes Percentage of votes Results
16th General Election 2000 Member of National Assembly from Hampyeong and Yeonggwang Counties Democratic Party (2000) 37,863 60.20% Won
17th General Election 2004 Member of National Assembly from Hampyeong and Yeonggwang Counties Democratic Party (2000) 30,123 55.28% Won
18th General Election 2008 Member of National Assembly from Hampyeong, Yeonggwang and Jangseong Counties Democratic Party (2008) 42,950 67.93% Won
19th General Election 2012 Member of National Assembly from Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang and Jangseong Counties Democratic United Party 63,887 77.32% Won
6th Local Election 2014 Governor of South Jeolla Province New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) 755,036 77.96% Won
21st General Election 2020 Member of National Assembly from Jongno Democratic Party 54,902 58.38% Won

References

  1. "국무총리 이낙연 프로필". 15 May 2017.
  2. "전남도지사 이낙연은 국인에당인가??". Archived from the original on 18 July 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  3. 크리스천투데이 (10 May 2017). "문재인 대통령 당선 후 문재인 정부 이낙연 전남지사 총리 내정 성향은?".
  4. "文대통령, 국무총리 이낙연·국정원장 서훈·비서실장 임종석·경호실장 주영훈 지명" (in Korean). Mbn.mk.co.kr. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  5. "Korea's new president announces key Cabinet picks". Arirang. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  6. 김수연 (28 October 2019). "Lee becomes longest-serving prime minister in S. Korea". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  7. Herald, The Korea (11 May 2017). "Moon Jae-in's first nominations reflect will for reform". www.koreaherald.com. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  8. "South Korea Election Win Turns Moon Premier into Possible Rival". Bloomberg.com. 20 April 2020.
  9. "Will Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon make Korea's next President after Moon?". 7 June 2019.
  10. "South Korea election win turns former premier into possible Moon rival". 21 April 2020.
  11. Smith, Josh; Cha, Sangmi (10 October 2021). "S.Korea's Lee wins ruling party primary in presidential race overshadowed by scandal". Reuters. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  12. "Moon Taps South Jeolla Province Governor as New PM". Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  13. "이낙연 국무총리 "기자생활 21년, 내면 형성한 소중한 수업 기간이었다"".
  14. "30년 전 '일왕 즉위식' 취재한 이낙연…이번엔 총리 신분으로".
  15. "(LEAD) (profile) Moon's premier pick is based in liberal stronghold, has broad political ties". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  16. "S. Jeolla governor tapped as PM nominee", Korea Times, 10 May 2017 .
  17. 이유미 (19 March 2020). ""노무현, 이낙연이 쓴 취임사 한 자도 안 고치고 '오케이'"". 연합뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  18. "Ex-prime minister Lee Nak-yeon firms his political position in heavyweight election battle". www.ajudaily.com. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  19. "이낙연, 알고보니 盧 탄핵소추안 반대표 던진 2명 중 1명". 10 May 2017.
  20. "South Korean prime minister pick seen as point man on Japan", Nikkei Asian Review, 11 May 2017 .
  21. "'꼴찌 성적표' 받고도 이낙연 지지도 오른 까닭". 오마이뉴스 (in Korean). 21 May 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  22. "Impact Player: Lee Nak-yon". www.csis.org. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  23. "[文의 사람 자기소개서] 이낙연, 깐깐 李주사 소통땐 막걸리". raythep.mk.co.kr/ (in Korean). 5 June 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  24. "이낙연은 누구? 민주당 출입기자에서 文정부 최장수 총리 거쳐 '당 대표'까지". biz.chosun.com (in Korean). 29 August 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  25. "Hopes high over Moon's 'post-authoritarian' leadership". www.koreatimes.co.kr. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  26. 송상호 (11 May 2017). "PM-designate Lee stresses communication with citizens". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  27. "Japan wary of S. Korea's growing opposition to 'comfort women' accord". Mainichi Daily News. 27 July 2017.
  28. "PM negative about calls for Korea's nuclear armament". 16 August 2017.
  29. "[당선-서울 종로] 이낙연, "국난 극복에 혼신 노력 할 것"". 15 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  30. "이낙연 "민주당 공동선대위원장직과 종로 출마, 수락"". www.hani.co.kr (in Korean). 23 January 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  31. "Kim Boo-kyum to compete with Lee Nak-yon for party leadership". koreatimes. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  32. "Election 2020 campaign takes off". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. 5 April 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  33. "'총선 진두지휘' 이해찬, 피로 누적으로 병원行…'실신 아냐, 다음 주 복귀'". 서울경제 (in Korean). 27 March 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  34. "이낙연은 '총선 지휘'...황교안은 '종로 속으로'". www.ytn.co.kr (in Korean). 2 April 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  35. "[총선] 與 전국 선거 지휘 본격화...이낙연 오늘 강원 방문". www.sisa-news.com (in Korean). Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  36. "'종로 출마+선거지휘' 굳히는 이낙연…총선 이후 겨냥?". news.jtbc.joins.com (in Korean). 22 January 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  37. "이낙연 민주당 대표 출마선언…"국난극복의 역사적 책임 이행에 최선"". www.hani.co.kr (in Korean). 7 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  38. "이낙연 "당대표 7개월, 짧은만큼 불꽃처럼 일하겠다"". 광주타임즈 (in Korean). 21 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  39. "[속보] 민주당 신임 당대표에 이낙연 당선…역시나 '어대낙'". hankyung.com (in Korean). 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  40. Herald, The Korea (8 September 2020). "Ruling party relaunches in-house coronavirus response committee headed by party leader". www.koreaherald.com. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  41. Herald, The Korea (9 September 2020). "Moon stresses 'cooperative politics'". www.koreaherald.com. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  42. "Korean gov't readies second virus relief fund, selectively to those in need - Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea". pulsenews.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  43. 김덕현 (9 September 2020). "S. Korea to draw up 4th extra budget for virus relief this week". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  44. "Gyeonggi governor criticizes Moon for providing relief money selectively". koreatimes. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  45. "이낙연 "거리두기 1단계…이때 놓치지 말고 경제 반전시켜야"".
  46. "College student becomes ruling party's leadership member". koreatimes. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  47. "이낙연 대표 경제대변인에 '홍성국 국회의원'". 세종포스트 (in Korean). 2 September 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  48. "DP creates body to investigate its members' scandals". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  49. Herald, The Korea (16 September 2020). "Ruling party launches in-house probe body to look into alleged misconduct among members". www.koreaherald.com. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  50. 최경애 (18 September 2020). "Ruling party to expel son of former President Kim over ethical issues". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  51. NEWSIS (18 September 2020). "與, '부동산 투기 의혹' 김홍걸 제명 의결…"당 품위 훼손"". newsis (in Korean). Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  52. 이유미 (12 October 2020). "'혁신위 카드' 꺼낸 이낙연…"신뢰·사랑받는 정당으로"(종합)". 연합뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  53. 김동호 (14 October 2020). "민주당 혁신위 구성…이낙연 "미래 백년정당 되겠다"". 연합뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  54. "민주, 권력기관·정치개혁 TF 구성…"현안 신속 대응"". 매일경제 (in Korean). 21 September 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  55. "NEWSIS". newsis.com. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  56. 기자, 인천/박주용 (15 October 2020). "송영길, "국익 확보 위해 전방위 의원외교 나설 것"". 신아일보 (in Korean). Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  57. "민주당, 4·7 보선 선대위 체제로 전환…이낙연·김태년 상임선대위원장". 뉴스핌 (in Korean). 3 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  58. "이낙연 "가덕신공항, 희망고문 끝났다"". 이투데이 (in Korean). 26 February 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  59. "국회, '558조' 내년도 예산안 처리...6년 만에 시한 준수". www.ytn.co.kr (in Korean). 2 December 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  60. 조명아 (9 March 2021). "'대선출마' 이낙연, 당대표 사퇴 "숙원 해결 가장 큰 보람"". MBC NEWS (in Korean). Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  61. "(LEAD) Assembly passes revised spy agency law after eliminating opposition filibuster".
  62. 임명현 (11 December 2020). "이낙연 "민주화 이후 가장 많은 개혁…공고화로 직진"". MBC NEWS (in Korean). Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  63. "이낙연 "이번 국회에서 1987년 민주화 뒤 가장 큰 개혁 이뤄내"". 이낙연 “이번 국회에서 1987년 민주화 뒤 가장 큰 개혁 이뤄내”. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  64. 고동욱 (15 April 2021). "자가격리 풀린 이낙연 당분간 脫여의도…"성찰 계속되는 과정"". 연합뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  65. 이학수 (4 May 2021). "'잠행' 이낙연, 첫 공개 행보…'청년 공채 확대' 촉구". MBC NEWS (in Korean). Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  66. "이낙연, 기업에 통큰 청년 공개채용 요청". 국제뉴스 (in Korean). 4 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  67. Smith, Josh; Cha, Sangmi (10 October 2021). "S.Korea's Lee wins ruling party primary in presidential race overshadowed by scandal". Reuters. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.