[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] The conflict continues between Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate and governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Lee Nak-yeon, former leader of the Democratic Party, over remarks made by former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo.
On the 23rd, Representative Choi In-ho from Lee Nak-yeon's camp revealed the phone conversation between former Governor Kim and Lee Nak-yeon through a Facebook post. According to Choi's post, during the call, Kim said, "I should be helping, but I am sorry for causing concern," and Lee Nak-yeon responded, "If you overcome the current difficulties well, the public's trust in Governor Kim will actually increase."
Additionally, according to Representative Choi, Kim said, "I am holding on well, aren't I? Please take care of the presidency," and Lee Nak-yeon repeatedly emphasized, "No matter what happens, I will serve the president well." Choi stressed, "Governor Kim, who will soon be incarcerated, worried about the president before himself," and added, "In this way, Governor Kim, Lee Nak-yeon, President Moon Jae-in, and party members have become one."
However, Representative Kim Nam-guk from Lee Jae-myung's camp also rebutted. On the 24th, Kim posted on his Facebook titled, "I want to ask if you are truly a Democratic Party member and sincerely thinking about President Moon." Kim said, "I am curious about the intention behind making Governor Kim's remarks public," and added, "It is questionable whether it is appropriate to disclose the conversation meant to comfort former Governor Kim, who is about to be re-incarcerated, and use it for election purposes."
Kim continued, "What is more inappropriate is deliberately trying to create a misunderstanding that 'Moon's heart' is here," and emphasized again, "President Moon has maintained political neutrality," and "I want to ask whether dragging the president into the party primary in this way is truly protecting President Moon and whether it is appropriate behavior."
Meanwhile, former Governor Kim was sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court for his involvement in the Druking comment manipulation case. He will be incarcerated at Changwon Prison on the 26th.
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