Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo Returns to Office After Cancer Treatment

On July 1, 2025, Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo held a briefing at the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office in Andong to mark the third anniversary of his administration. This was his first public appearance since stepping away for cancer treatment on May 29. After 33 days and undergoing two rounds of chemotherapy, he returned with a slightly thinner appearance but maintained a positive demeanor.

In his opening remarks, Governor Lee expressed his apologies for any concern caused by his absence due to his cancer diagnosis. He stated, "I will focus on recovering my strength for about a month and will fully commit to pressing issues, including APEC, starting in August."

During the briefing, he emphasized the importance of the upcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju scheduled for October, assuring that preparations would proceed without any setbacks. He also mentioned plans to meet with President Lee Jae-myung to discuss key issues such as the reconstruction of areas affected by wildfires, the development of Pohang's Yeongilman Port, and the promotion of hydrogen and bio industries in Gyeongbuk.

Governor Lee advocated for a national-led approach to relocating military airports, similar to the Gwangju Airport model, for the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport project. He expressed hope that this initiative would progress ahead of similar projects in Gwangju and Suwon, and he called for the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk to be recognized as a national task rather than a local initiative.

Regarding collaboration with the Lee Jae-myung administration, he noted, "I positively assess the practical policies of the new government, especially since the President's hometown is Andong, and I have shared a commitment to the region during my previous term. Given the similarities between this government's policies and those of Gyeongbuk, I aim to establish a cooperative framework for regional development."

In a light-hearted moment, he remarked, "I thought I was just having a stomach issue, but it turned out to be cancer. Since stress can contribute to cancer, if you write positive articles about Gyeongbuk, it will lift my spirits and help me recover faster, so I ask for your support," which elicited laughter from the audience.

Originally, the briefing was scheduled to be conducted by Deputy Governor Yang Geum-hee, but it was decided on the night of June 29 that Governor Lee would take the lead. Some speculate that his direct involvement was to address various unverified rumors circulating about his health.

Governor Lee was diagnosed with cancer after seeking medical attention for abdominal pain on May 27. His treatment and future political plans have been a topic of much speculation, especially with the upcoming gubernatorial election next year. There are rumors suggesting that his chances for a third term may be challenging, alongside discussions about potential candidates from the opposition party, People Power Party.