Veteran activists from both sides seek Seoul mayoralty

By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Yonhap) -- The October by-election for the Seoul mayoralty became further complicated across the political spectrum Wednesday when right-wing activist Lee Seog-yeon announced his bid.
The 57-year-old lawyer-turned-activist is considered a strong candidate with access to a broad network of civic activists and administrative experience from his former job as the legislation minister. Lee has previously received offers to join the ruling Grand National Party (GNP).



In a Wednesday press conference attended by some 200 activists and supporters, however, Lee said he would run independently to bring change to the traditional political establishment.
Lee played major roles in the Citizens Coalition for Economic Justice, the nation's largest civic organization monitoring unfair business practices, in the 1990s and won a legal battle to block the capital relocation plan under the late president Roh Moo-hyun.
His main rival will be Park Won-soon, another lawyer-turned-activist and widely considered a major contender in the liberal camp with leading approval ratings. Park has not yet declared any party affiliation.
The 55-year-old Park, an avid advocate of grassroots activism, founded the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, one of the country's largest civic organizations, in 1994.



In the GNP, Rep. Na Kyung-won is reportedly considering joining the race as she leads party polls far ahead of other possible candidates. Na is expected to formally announce her mayoral bid later this week, according to party officials.
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) has four candidates competing to get the party ticket, with Rep. Park Young-sun currently leading the pack.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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