Kim Du-kwan, on the 'Unregistered' Lee Jae-myung Targeting Poster: "Please Just Leave Me Out"

Recently, a poster mocking the fact that among the six Democratic Party presidential primary candidates, only Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung did not serve in the military has been circulating among supporters of the Democratic Party, causing controversy.
[Photo by Facebook capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Recently, a poster bearing the phrase "Military Service Completed Ruling Party, Military Service Not Completed Opposition Party" has been circulating among supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea, sparking controversy. In a similar context, Kim Du-kwan, a Democratic Party lawmaker featured on another poster, criticized it, saying, "Please stop this lowly slander (black propaganda)."

The poster includes phrases such as "Compete in policy but unite in security," "Democratic Party Military Service Original Team," and "Democratic Party's Valuable Asset · Strong Security," with former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Du-kwan and Park Yong-jin standing against a backdrop of the Taegeukgi (Korean national flag).

This implies that four out of the six Democratic Party presidential primary candidates have completed their military service. It was also interpreted as mocking the fact that among them, except for former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae, who is female, only Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung did not serve in the military.

Regarding this, on the 17th, Kim Du-kwan stated on his Facebook, "I would rather be called 'not completed military service' than be included in this picture," adding, "I do not want to participate in such lowly slander."

Regarding the recent spread of posters mocking Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung among supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea for not having served in the military, Representative Kim Doo-kwan posted a criticism on his Facebook on the 17th.
[Photo by Facebook capture]

Kim also mentioned, "No one should be demeaned for having a 'disability,'" referring to Governor Lee Jae-myung, who was the subject of comparison.

He reiterated, "Please stop this lowly slander," and apologized to his presidential race rival Lee Jae-myung, saying, "I saw this too late and my response was delayed. I am sorry."

Earlier that day, Nam Young-hee, spokesperson for Lee Jae-myung's Open Camp, criticized the poster, explaining, "(Governor Lee) worked as a factory laborer and suffered a severe injury when his arm got caught in a press machine, resulting in a disability. Therefore, he could not serve in the military. It is not that he avoided military service; he wanted to serve but could not."