South Korea Opposition Picks Harvard Graduate to Lead Push to Power

  • People Power Party chooses Lee Jun-seok ahead of March vote
  • Right-leaning bloc seeks return to presidency when Moon leaves
Lee Jun-seok speaks at the People Power Party’s national convention in Seoul on June 11.Photographer: Kim Min-Hee/Pool/Getty Images
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South Korea’s main opposition party picked a 36-year-old who has never served in parliament as its leader, turning to a reform advocate as it tries to reclaim the presidency next year.

The People Power Party voted Friday to select Lee Jun-seok as its leader, making the Harvard University graduate the youngest person to control the post for the main conservative bloc. He received 44% of the vote, ahead of the nearest contender, Na Kyung-won, a former parliamentary floor leader, who garnered 37%, according to the party.