Lee In-je Likely to Win Leadership in Chungchong Province

The Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) election committee head Lee In-je has proved to be a distinguished figure in this April 13 general elections as he successfully attacked Chungchong Province, an area which had previously been the stronghold of United Liberal Democrat (ULD) leader Kim Jong-pil.

An MDP official was quoted as saying, "Lee has solidified his leadership in his party by destroying the ULD's stronghold." When Lee entered the Chungchong Province campaign with several candidates at the early stage of election, very few expected positive results.

Lee's victory means his political challenge turned out to be effective. From the beginning of his campaign, he introduced himself as a 'next-generation leader' and denounced Kim as part of the 'sunset' generation. Now with his safe settlement in Chungchong Province, predictions of Lee's occupancy of the leadership in this area are already being made.

Lee is also anticipated to run for the next presidential election, competing with Grand National Party (GNP) leader Lee Hoi-chang in two years' time.

It is certain that Lee will help to create a 'next-generation competition phenomena'. Other congressmen such as Kim Kun-tae from the MDP, Kang Jae-sup, Kim Duk-ryong, Park Keun-hye and Lee Boo-young from the GNP, and Lee Hang-dong from the ULD are expected to be on the list of other competitors in the next generation of Korean politics.

In particular, now that Lee Jong-chan and Noh Moo-hyun, who used to be strong runners-up, are left out, Lee's victory seems to be inevitable.

President Kim Dae-jung also recognizes Lee's achievement by saying, "The party will support Lee if the voters support him."

However Lee has many obstacles to overcome as there will be restraints on him both inside and outside of the MDP before a tentative party convention to be held in September.

by Lee Yang-soo