Loss fails to dampen Lee's vim

"Mr. Lee, though he has lost weight, seems to have regained his composure. But his wife still cries a couple of time a day," said an acquaintance of Lee Hoi-chang, who failed in his second bid for the Blue House.

Mr. Lee, who announced his retirement from politics and the main opposition Grand National Party, is keeping his promise and his distance. He has not joined any political gatherings since his defeat. But his interest in current affairs continues. A close aide to Mr. Lee said the former candidate recently said, "How can I be deaf and blind to politics? I am not a Buddhist monk." The aide said that Mr. Lee still talks about problems such as North Korea's nuclear armaments and U.S.-South Korea relations.

Mr. Lee's supporters continue to call on him. Dozens of people visit his home in Ogin-dong, central Seoul, everyday. Members of Changsarang, a group of his supporters, often bring him roses bearing messages like, "Please, don't retire" and "Cheer up." Mr. Lee, according to his aides, receives an average of 35 telephone calls and cards everyday.

His aides said that Mr. Lee is keeping a close eye on some GNP members who claim that he is responsible for the election defeat. Indeed, a GNP lawmaker last Tuesday said, "This election was not about liberal versus conservative politics. It was about the candidates' qualities on issues like ethics and transparency."

Mr. Lee's aides expressed concern, saying, "If Mr. Lee's tears dry up, the GNP members will undoubtedly pillory him."

Han In-ok, Mr. Lee's wife, is said to be taking her husband's defeat badly. Her relatives said she is extremely sensitive and easily bursts into tears when talking about the election or reading letters that encourage her husband.

Mr. Lee has not said what he plans to do in the future, but observers continue to speculate. Some say the 67-year-old former justice official will go into semi-retirement overseas. Others say he will continue to work for the public using his legal expertise.

by Nam Jeong-ho