Lee Nak-yeon: "President's Approval Rating Drop Due to 'Real Estate'... No Young-min Must Sell Gangnam Apartment"

Lee Nak-yeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference to announce his candidacy for party leader at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Lee Nak-yeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pressed Presidential Chief of Staff Noh Young-min on real estate issues for two consecutive days.

On the morning of the 8th, Lee appeared on CBS Radio and was asked, "Recent polls show a noticeable decline in the president's approval rating and the party's support rate. What do you think is the main reason?" He replied, "North Korea blew up the inter-Korean liaison office, real estate prices fluctuated wildly, and there was an issue with Incheon International Airport. These problems likely increased disappointment toward the government and ruling party."

When asked, "What do you think about Chief of Staff Noh selling only his apartment in Cheongju and keeping only the one in Gangnam?" he said, "Of course, there must have been circumstances. He has owned the Gangnam apartment for over 10 years and said his son lives there, but even so, I thought it was right to dispose of the Gangnam apartment." He added, "(Therefore) I said I expected appropriate conduct and measures."

He continued, "I also told him that directly," adding, "He said he understood and explained that there were such circumstances." However, when asked if he thought it was not a problem serious enough to resign, he answered, "It is not right to mention that issue. I was talking about the disposal of the Gangnam apartment."

At a press conference the previous day announcing his candidacy for party leader, Lee also responded to questions related to Chief of Staff Noh by saying, "I feel somewhat disappointed. Appropriate conduct and measures should be taken."

Lee, who is also a Democratic Party presidential candidate, explained his reason for running for party leader: "There was a survey on who should be the party leader. In that survey, over 50% of the general public and over 70% of party members overwhelmingly said they wanted Lee Nak-yeon to try."

He also said, "If I run, I feel sorry to the party because there might have to be another party convention in 7 to 8 months. But now, with online voting, costs are reduced to one-fifth and the process is simplified. When I considered not running, this was my biggest concern."

He added, "Those who will take charge of the party for two years will have the nomination rights for the local elections, but if someone quits next spring, that competition will be postponed until then," and said, "In times of national crisis, isn't it better to postpone such competition? That is my judgment."

When asked about the strengths of his rival candidate, former lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum, he said, "Flexibility and tolerance. He is a very good talent," and added, "I have lived a little longer than Kim Boo-kyum, and our experiences are in somewhat different fields, I guess."

Regarding his presidential run, he said, "There is only a possibility," and refrained from elaborating by saying, "Currently, the Democratic Party has no presidential candidate."

On the launch of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit, a current issue, he said, "It must follow the law (launching on the 15th). What the Constitutional Court's ruling will be afterward is another matter," and added, "I think I can say that to Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party."

Lee mentioned his connection with Chairman Kim, saying, "If I become party leader, I think the long-standing trust relationship will be maintained." He said, "I have known him since the early 1980s, which is quite a long time," and added, "In 1985, when the Chun Doo-hwan government announced the real-name financial system, I reported that the implementation might be delayed, and the source was then-lawmaker Kim Jong-in."

Regarding the conflict between Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl and Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, he said, "The party convention is on August 29, and I don't think the current situation will continue until then," and added, "If the minister gave investigative instructions according to the law, it is natural to accept that."