"The Trend is Set by the People" Lee Jae-myung's Remark as the 2nd Leading Presidential Candidate

Lee Jae-myung Presidential Candidate Ranks 2nd in Preference Poll
Support Rises Amid COVID-19 Shincheonji Crisis
Recently Takes Tough Stance on North Korean Defector Group's Leaflet Campaign
"Young Dream Was 'Catching the Tail to Shake the Body'"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the expanded executive meeting held on the afternoon of the 18th at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, stated regarding his second-place ranking in the next presidential candidate poll, "The trend is determined by the people."

In an interview with Kukmin Ilbo on the 19th, Governor Lee said, "I have no intention of rushing into the (presidential) race to try something first. I think I previously rushed in without any benefit and only suffered losses," adding, "I will just work hard until I am called upon, and if I am not called, continuing this work itself is such a great honor and opportunity."

He continued, "Society is shifting to value ability, achievements, and results," and stated, "Since I have many opportunities to demonstrate my abilities, I think this is actually advantageous." This is interpreted as his claim to gain public support by emphasizing his administrative skills amid internal party standings and political faction conflicts within the Democratic Party of Korea.

Governor Lee said, "Politics is not done by politicians but by the people," and added, "My youthful dream was to 'grab the tail and shake the body.'"

He further explained, "In reality, I engaged in civic movements and worked as a human rights lawyer, grabbing the tail and accomplishing many things. As mayor and governor, I believe I have achieved tremendous results. I am confident I will continue to do so. Even if I haven't grabbed the head, isn't it true that you don't always have to grab the head?"

Previously, Governor Lee ranked second in a presidential candidate preference poll. According to a survey conducted by Gallup Korea from the 9th to the 11th using a free-response method, Lee's support rose by 1 percentage point to 12% compared to the previous survey, placing him second.

Earlier this year, Lee's support was around 3-4%, but it significantly increased to 11% starting in March. The first place was held by Lee Nak-yeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, with a 28% response rate.

The survey was conducted nationwide from the 9th to the 11th, targeting 1,000 adults aged 18 and over (out of 8,606 calls, 1,000 responded, with a response rate of 12%). The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

On the afternoon of March 2nd, Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, arrived at the 'Palace of Peace,' the Shincheonji training center in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the poll results, Governor Lee's support rate rose sharply to 11% starting in March. At that time, as confirmed COVID-19 cases surged centered around the Shincheonji Daegu gathering site, which spread from February, Lee ordered the closure of Shincheonji gathering sites in the Gyeonggi region.

Especially when disputes over the disclosure of Shincheonji members' lists prolonged, he personally visited the Shincheonji headquarters in Gwacheon to conduct a forced epidemiological investigation to secure the list.

On February 20, Lee posted on Facebook titled "War against COVID-19, conducting a full investigation of Shincheonji," stating, "To prevent the spread of community infection, we will identify all places where Shincheonji members have been active and carry out rapid quarantine activities."

He also demanded, "The Shincheonji sect must immediately close all places of worship, suspend all gatherings and volunteer activities, and promptly report places of worship, gatherings, and volunteer activity areas within Gyeonggi Province to the provincial government."

He added, "Members who recently attended the Shincheonji Daegu church gatherings should immediately report their attendance to the local health center and cooperate with active measures such as self-quarantine," emphasizing, "Your voluntary participation will determine whether community infection spreads."

Recently, he expressed a strong stance against the distribution of leaflets to North Korea by defector groups. On the 20th, Lee stated, "We will hold accountable without exception for criminal acts that threaten the safety of residents."

In a post on his Facebook that morning, he pointed out, "It was revealed that the building used illegally to operate high-pressure gas facilities and distribute leaflets threatening national security and the safety of Gyeonggi residents was unauthorized."

He emphasized, "That building was subject to administrative orders banning dangerous zones and prohibited acts in Gyeonggi Province. Illegal facilities used for crimes must be removed. I have requested Pocheon City to demolish the unauthorized building."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is holding a press conference on March 18 at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government briefing room in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, announcing an administrative order to restrict close use of multi-use facilities to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In this regard, Lee Jae-gang, Deputy Governor for Peace of Gyeonggi Province, confirmed on the 19th that the house of Lee Min-bok, head of the North Korean Balloon Group of the Direct Aid Movement for North Korean Compatriots residing in Sohol-eup, Pocheon City, was an unauthorized facility and strongly requested Pocheon City to demolish the house. Accordingly, Pocheon City decided to proceed with demolition procedures.

Then, a conservative figure posted on Facebook on the 13th and 14th threatening Governor Lee with the message, "Planning to fly leaflets near Lee Jae-myung's house, it's a piece of cake."

When the police began fact-finding, he posted on Facebook on the 15th and 17th, "Watching the insignificant person named Lee Jae-myung playing with North Korean leaflets, I will work near his house. If the police use force, I will willingly open a hydrogen gas tank and set it on fire," and his whereabouts remain unknown.

The Free North Korea Movement Alliance sent 500,000 leaflets, 50 booklets, 2,000 one-dollar bills, and 1,000 memory cards attached to 20 large balloons toward North Korea in the Wolgot-ri area of Gimpo City on the 31st of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

In response, Governor Lee posted on his Facebook on the 21st, stating, "We must hold those who damage freedom through recklessness and disruption strictly accountable and teach them order."

He emphasized, "A free society does not come automatically but is created and maintained through responsibility and sacrifice that respect others' rights and order." He added, "We must teach those who mistake reckless behavior for freedom what responsibility means on this occasion."

Meanwhile, in preparation for any contingencies, the police deployed three platoons (about 30 officers each) around the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office in Suwon, the governor's official residence, and Governor Lee's apartment in Bundang, Seongnam City, starting from the morning of the 20th. They plan to maintain perimeter security forces until midnight on the 21st.

Gyeonggi Province also strengthened security by deploying 10 additional security personnel around the provincial government office and the governor's official residence from early morning that day.