Lee Jin-suk, former chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, effectively rejected People Power Party (PPP) leader Chang Dong-hyuk's suggestion to run in upcoming by-elections, posting on social media Tuesday that "the train has left."
Lee also posted on her social media account that day, "Daegu to Seoul, 300 kilometers. Is the distance really this far?" — dismissing speculation of a move to the National Assembly.
Since being cut from the party's candidate slate last month, Lee has continued campaigning as a self-declared preliminary candidate for Daegu mayor. "I will save Daegu by earning the choice of Daegu citizens through a 'citizens' primary,'" she said, reaffirming her intention to run as an independent.
A day earlier, Chang appeared on a Maeil Shinmun YouTube broadcast and publicly urged Lee to run in the by-elections, calling her "an exceptionally capable person and a major political asset for our party." He added, "If she comes to the National Assembly to fight, she would be a tremendous source of strength for the party."
Regarding polls showing Lee leading among opposition-aligned candidates for Daegu mayor, Chang said, "That is precisely why we are presenting a new alternative where she can play a different role for the party."