30 Facts About Lee Nak-yon

Lee Nak-yon is a South Korean politician who served as the prime minister of South Korea from 2017 to 2020.

Lee Nak-yon was chosen for the position of prime minister by President Moon Jae-in to keep his campaign promise to appoint his de facto deputy from Honam region.

Lee Nak-yon lost the primary to Lee Jae-myung in October 2021.

Lee Nak-yon was born on 20 December 1951 in Yeonggwang County in South Jeolla Province.

Lee Nak-yon is the 22nd generation descendant of Grand Prince Wanpung, the 1st son of Yi Jachun as well the older brother of Taejo who is known to be the first King of Joseon.

Lee Nak-yon served as a spokesperson for former president Roh Moo-hyun when Roh was the president-elect in 2002.

Lee Nak-yon was only one of two parliamentarians who voted against the impeachment of President Roh despite the different party membership.

Lee Nak-yon is seen as having close ties with key Japanese politicians, having served many years as a senior member in the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union.

Lee Nak-yon left office in the middle of his fourth term in 2014 to successfully run for governor of South Jeolla Province.

Lee Nak-yon is known for his love of Makgeolli, a Korean traditional rice wine, which he used to facilitate communication with his provincial government employees who nicknamed him "Manager Lee" for his attention to detail.

Lee Nak-yon resigned from South Jeolla Provincial Governorship on the same day.

Until Lee Nak-yon's nomination was confirmed by the parliament, Hwang Kyo-ahn, the last prime minister under impeached-and-removed president Park Geun-hye, kept his place.

Lee Nak-yon referenced Makgeolli when emphasising his intention to work with opposition parties and for the people.

When he left office, Lee Nak-yon was the longest-serving prime minister since the Constitution of South Korea was last revised in 1987.

In 2020 election, Lee Nak-yon stood for Jongno constituency and defeated the UFP President Hwang Kyo-ahn.

Lee Nak-yon took two roles in his party - co-chair of 2020 general election campaign with the other co-chair being then-party leader Lee Hae-chan and the chair of the committee "to overcome the national crisis" caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

In July 2020 Lee Nak-yon announced his campaign for the leader of his party, Democratic Party, highlighting his experiences dealing with "crises" that are much needed in transitioning into post-COVID-19 era.

Lee Nak-yon appointed senior posts of his party including two remaining members of its Supreme Council he can appoint.

Lee Nak-yon created four spokesperson posts for specific issues - youth, security, economy and international affairs.

Lee Nak-yon is accused of several allegations linked to Eastar Jet he founded and Kim his real estate in Seoul.

In October 2020, Lee Nak-yon brought up the idea of "committee to reform the party " which resembles one led by Kim Sang-gon in 2015 under then-party leader Moon Jae-in.

Lee Nak-yon launched one for social tragedy countermeasures led by an assembly member from Ansan, Jeon Hae-cheol, who previously chaired party's Sewol disaster committee.

Lee Nak-yon led the party's campaign in local by-elections in April 2021 - most prominently in two of the country's populous cities of Seoul and Busan - as a co-standing head of the campaign with the other being the party's floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon.

Lee Nak-yon led the party's temporary special committee for a new airport on Busan's Gadeokdo Island ensuring its construction and operation by 2030 World Expo in Busan upon newly passed special law on this new airport and as part of development strategy of the country's southeastern region.

Lee Nak-yon described these achievements as the biggest reforms taken into effect since 1987, the year of June Struggle and the latest Constitution revision as such reforms were often blocked by opposition parties in the parliament.

On 9 March 2021, exactly a year before the 2022 South Korean presidential election, Lee Nak-yon resigned as the leader of his party, triggering a leadership by-election and effectively announcing his candidacy for president.

Lee Nak-yon continued to lead his party's campaign for the 2021 South Korean by-elections.

Lee Nak-yon was initially described as the establishment favorite for his party's nomination.

Lee Nak-yon is the 22nd-generation descendant of Grand Prince Wanpung who was the elder half-brother of King Taejo of Joseon, the founder of Joseon Kingdom.

Lee Nak-yon is a member of the South Korean Presbyterian Church.