Lee Hoi-chang
Encyclopedia
Lee Hoi-chang is a South Korea
n politician. A Catholic, he was born to an elite family in Seoheung, Hwanghae
(part of what is now North Korea
), but grew up in the south after his father, a public prosecutor, was appointed to a new post.
Like his father, Lee studied law at Seoul National University
and became a judge at the age of 25. He become the country's youngest-ever Supreme Court judge at the age of 46. Lee was nicknamed "Bamboo", a Korean term for an upright person of principle.
. Subsequently he was appointed prime minister
the same year, but resigned after a few months, frustrated at the lack of real power in the mainly ceremonial position.
In 1996 he led the parliamentary campaign of the then-ruling New Korea Party (NKP), which merged with another party to become the current Grand National Party
(GNP) in 1997. Lee was elected as his party's presidential candidate for the presidential election scheduled for that same year. Although at the outset he seemed destined for victory, Lee ultimately lost to Kim Dae-jung in the midst of Asian economic crisis. His campaign was also tainted by accusations that his two sons avoided compulsory military service by deliberately losing weight before their induction medical examinations.
Lee again campaigned to win the presidency in 2002. Although corruption scandals marred the incumbent government, Lee, unable to cope with his opponent's youthful and vigorous campaign strategy, lost this time to Roh Moo-hyun
, Kim Dae-jung's successor. Lee subsequently announced his retirement from politics.
Lee's platform for both elections was consistent with the basic tenets of South Korean conservatism
which included a tough stance toward North Korea, market-oriented and pro-business economic policies, and cracking down on illegal strikes. Lee and his party repeatedly criticized Kim Dae-jung's "sunshine policy" and insisted that financial aid to North Korea be cut off until nuclear weapon program
was dismantled.
On November 7, 2007, Lee officially announced his third campaign for the South Korean presidency as an unaligned candidate after quitting the GNP. He ran against GNP candidate Lee Myung-bak
, UNDP contender Chung Dong-young
, and Moon Kook-hyun
. Lee's presidential bid posed a concern to the conservatives who were eager to regain the presidency after a decade of leftist rule, as it was feared Lee's candidacy would divide the conservative vote. However, Lee came third, with 15% of the vote, and the GNP candidate Lee Myung-bak was elected.
After his failed 2007 election bid, Lee founded the Liberty Forward Party
.
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n politician. A Catholic, he was born to an elite family in Seoheung, Hwanghae
Hwanghae
Hwanghae was one of the Eight Provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Hwanghae was located in the northwest of Korea. The provincial capital was Haeju.The regional name for the province was Haesŏ .-History:...
(part of what is now North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
), but grew up in the south after his father, a public prosecutor, was appointed to a new post.
Like his father, Lee studied law at Seoul National University
Seoul National University
Seoul National University , colloquially known in Korean as Seoul-dae , is a national research university in Seoul, Korea, ranked 24th in the world in publications in an analysis of data from the Science Citation Index, 7th in Asia and 42nd in the world by the 2011 QS World University Rankings...
and became a judge at the age of 25. He become the country's youngest-ever Supreme Court judge at the age of 46. Lee was nicknamed "Bamboo", a Korean term for an upright person of principle.
Political career
In 1988 Lee was appointed chief of the National Election Commission and in 1993 he headed the Board of Audit and Inspection under President Kim Young-samKim Young-sam
Kim Young-sam was a South Korean politician and democratic activist. From 1961, he spent 30 years as South Korea's leader of the opposition, and one of Park Chung-hee's most powerful rivals....
. Subsequently he was appointed prime minister
Prime Minister of South Korea
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea is appointed by the President with the National Assembly's approval. Unlike prime ministers in the parliamentary system, the Prime Minister of South Korea is not required to be a member of parliament....
the same year, but resigned after a few months, frustrated at the lack of real power in the mainly ceremonial position.
In 1996 he led the parliamentary campaign of the then-ruling New Korea Party (NKP), which merged with another party to become the current Grand National Party
Grand National Party
The Grand National Party is a conservative political party in South Korea. Its Korean name, Hannara, has a double meaning as "Great National" and "Korean National." The GNP holds a majority of seats in the 18th Assembly, lasting from 2008 to 2012....
(GNP) in 1997. Lee was elected as his party's presidential candidate for the presidential election scheduled for that same year. Although at the outset he seemed destined for victory, Lee ultimately lost to Kim Dae-jung in the midst of Asian economic crisis. His campaign was also tainted by accusations that his two sons avoided compulsory military service by deliberately losing weight before their induction medical examinations.
Lee again campaigned to win the presidency in 2002. Although corruption scandals marred the incumbent government, Lee, unable to cope with his opponent's youthful and vigorous campaign strategy, lost this time to Roh Moo-hyun
Roh Moo-hyun
Roh Moo-hyun GOM GCB was the 16th President of South Korea .Roh's pre-presidential political career was focused on human rights advocacy for student activists in South Korea. His electoral career later expanded to a focus on overcoming regionalism in South Korean politics, culminating in his...
, Kim Dae-jung's successor. Lee subsequently announced his retirement from politics.
Lee's platform for both elections was consistent with the basic tenets of South Korean conservatism
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
which included a tough stance toward North Korea, market-oriented and pro-business economic policies, and cracking down on illegal strikes. Lee and his party repeatedly criticized Kim Dae-jung's "sunshine policy" and insisted that financial aid to North Korea be cut off until nuclear weapon program
North Korea and weapons of mass destruction
North Korea has declared that it has nuclear weapons and is believed by many to have nuclear weapons. The CIA assesses that North Korea also has a substantial arsenal of chemical weapons...
was dismantled.
On November 7, 2007, Lee officially announced his third campaign for the South Korean presidency as an unaligned candidate after quitting the GNP. He ran against GNP candidate Lee Myung-bak
Lee Myung-bak
Lee Myung-bak is the President of South Korea. Prior to his presidency, he was the CEO of Hyundai Engineering and Construction and the mayor of Seoul. He is married to Kim Yoon-ok and has three daughters and one son. His older brother is Lee Sang-deuk, a South Korean politician. He attends the...
, UNDP contender Chung Dong-young
Chung Dong-young
Chung Dong-young is a politician and was the United New Democratic Party candidate for President of South Korea in 2007....
, and Moon Kook-hyun
Moon Kook-hyun
Moon Kook-hyun is the leader of the Creative Korea Party, who served as a well-known business manager and civil environmental campaigner in South Korea before entering his political career....
. Lee's presidential bid posed a concern to the conservatives who were eager to regain the presidency after a decade of leftist rule, as it was feared Lee's candidacy would divide the conservative vote. However, Lee came third, with 15% of the vote, and the GNP candidate Lee Myung-bak was elected.
After his failed 2007 election bid, Lee founded the Liberty Forward Party
Liberty Forward Party
Liberty Forward Party is a conservative political party in South Korea. This party was created by Lee Hoi Chang, the current party president, after the 2007 presidential election. On 12th February 2008 the party merged with the People First Party. The LFP got 18 seats in the 18th Parliamentary...
.