President Lee's top confidant returns home from U.S.

SEOUL, March 29 (Yonhap) -- Lee Jae-oh, one of the most trusted confidants of
President Lee Myung-bak, said Sunday he has no immediate plans to return to
politics following his unannounced return on Saturday from the U.S., where he has
been active in academic circles for the past 10 months.
Lee, a former three-term lawmaker, arrived quietly at Seoul's Gimpo Airport late
Saturday night from Tokyo, where he made a one-night stopover after a lengthy
flight from San Francisco, according to his aides, who noted that only one former
aide greeted Lee at the airport.
"Lee decided to make a secret homecoming trip so as not to cause any
inconvenience to the people, particularly during this difficult economic time,"
said one of the aides.
South Korea's influential politicians usually draw hundreds of supporters when
returning home from extended overseas trips.
Lee is said to lead the biggest faction in the ruling Grand National Party (GNP).
He had been in Washington since last May, soon after he was defeated in the April
general elections.
In a telephone interview with Yonhap News Agency on Sunday, Lee said he plans to
concentrate on researching the nation's future rather than rejoin politics for
the near term.
"I'm not an incumbent lawmaker. Thus my sole focus of interest will be the future
of the nation, 50 or 100 years from now," Lee said.
"I'm also planning to give public lectures on such themes as the nation's future
and economic recovery."
Political analysts say Lee's homecoming will bring about sweeping changes in the
power structure of the GNP, and they forecast he will play a significant role in
the April 29 by-elections to reinforce President Lee's political base, as well as
in the election of new GNP floor leader.
They also predict Lee will fully resume his political activities by July or August.
ycm@yna.co.kr
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