Former Prime Minister and the main opposition Democratic United Party’s senior adviser Lee Hae-chan is to challenge for the parliamentary seat in the new constituency of Sejong, the new administrative city in South Chungcheong Province.

He will thus be competing against Chungnam National University professor Shin Jin of the ruling Saenuri Party and Rep. Sim Dae-pyung of the Liberty Forward Party.

“I accepted chairperson Han Myeong-sook’s offer and decided to run in Sejong City,” Lee said in a press conference.

“As an initiator of the project, I will fight to make Sejong the city as originally planned and to represent the interest of the Chungcheong residents.”

Lee earlier declined the candidacy offer during talks with Han on Friday, according to officials.

Who will be nominated in Sejong City has been the subject of intense scrutiny as it is the only new constituency and a political hot potato in the upcoming April general elections.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)