Lee Woo-jae (1936)

Lee Woo-jae (李佑宰, born September 13, 1936) is a South Korean politician who came from a background in farmers' movements. He served as a member of the National Assembly in the 15th and 16th terms.

As student council president of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Seoul National University, he experienced the April 19 Revolution. After graduating, he worked at the Christian Academy, and in 1980 he served a prison term on charges of violating the National Security Act.

In 1991, as standing representative of the Minjung Party, he ran in Guro District, Seoul, but lost. He then joined the Democratic Liberal Party. He was elected to the 15th National Assembly as a member of the New Korea Party, and in the 16th he won in the August 8 by-election. After his election, he opposed amendments to the National Security Act, and because he took part in the vote-rigging on labor law on Christmas 1996, he was targeted for removal by civic groups. ¹

Later, in July 2003, he left the Grand National Party together with Lee Boo-young, Ahn Young-geun, Kim Boo-kyum, and Kim Young-chun, who were reformist hardliners within the party. He then co-founded the Uri Party with Chun Jung-bae, Chung Dong-young, Shin Ki-nam, and other pro-Roh Moo-hyun forces from the .