In early 2012, Lee was brought into the Democratic Unionist Party (then the Democratic Party) by its president, Han Myung-sook.[6] She was nominated as an MP candidate for Gwangmyeong 2nd constituency, and defeated the incumbent Chun Jae-hui of the Saenuri Party.[7][1][6] She was re-elected to the same constituency in 2016.[6]
During the 2017 presidential election, Lee criticised Moon Jae-in, the presidential candidate for Democratic Party.[8] On 6 April, she shifted to the People's Party and endorsed its candidate, Ahn Cheol-soo.[8][7][6] At that time, the approval rate of Ahn was as high as Moon, after her endorsement by several anti-Moon politicians.[6] Meanwhile, Ahn's approving then dropped and finished as 3rd (21.41%), approximately half of Moon.[6]
Lee unsuccessfully ran for the party president on 27 August. She supported the party's merger with the Bareun Party, and joined the Bareunmirae Party in the early 2018. In November 2018, sources reported that she would join the Liberty Korea Party.[9]
In the 2020 election, Lee was nominated as the United Future candidate for Busan South 2nd constituency.[12] However, she lost to the Democratic candidate and incumbent MP Park Jae-ho.[13]
The resignation of the Mayor of BusanOh Keo-don on 23 April 2020 following the allegations of sexual harassment has provoked the by-election in 2021.[14][15]
On 17 December 2020, Lee announced her intention to run for the Busan mayorship at Convention Hall of Busan Exhibition and Convention Centre (BEXCO).[16][17] She cited a sexual harassment controversy related to the former Mayor Oh and indicated that the by-elections must be the "base" of the regime change.[16][17] The following was her manifesto included in her declaration:[16][17]
Establishing a 'happy city for mothers and families'
Developing Busan as a maritime city
Administrative, social and cultural innovation
Lee contested PPP preselection on 4 March 2021, but lost to the former MP for SuyeongPark Hyung-joon and the former Deputy Mayor Park Seong-hun.[18][19]
Lee is a capitalist[20] who supports market economy and opposes the increase of minimum wages[20] and pro-labour policies. She criticised President Moon's economic policy as socialism,[24] and stated that "the US is enjoying prosperity due to capitalism".[20] She does not oppose economic democracy but says that "leftists have ruined its original meaning".[25]
Lee was widely criticised after she called school canteen cooks as "cooking moms".[6]
Immigration
Lee denounced the Yemeni refugees on Jeju Island as "impostors seeking jobs and money" and opposes them.[25] She said, "South Korean conservatives must ensure the view towards immigration policy".[22][23] She wants to reduce the number of foreign workers and mentioned that the government should prioritise locals.[22][23] Lee also advocates for harsher policy for illegal immigrants.[22]
Personal life
Lee is married to Choi Won-jae, a professor at Kyung Hee University.[26] She gave birth to a son in 2009.
