[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, urged Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, to discipline and hold accountable camp officials who fabricate statements he never made, thereby fostering extreme regionalism and damaging the 'One Team Spirit' within the Democratic Party.
On the 25th, Lee posted on Facebook a message titled 'Candidate Lee Nak-yeon, do you remember our conversation on July 30 last year? Request to restrain camp officials who damage the One Team spirit and promote regionalism with fake news,' stating, "On July 30 last year, Candidate Lee Nak-yeon visited the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office as a candidate for party leader," and "During a private conversation, I told the candidate, 'I hope you do well in the presidential election. I am still young and have the card of being a two-term governor,' which I believe you remember."
He added, "At that time, the candidate was receiving uniformly high support nationwide, and the reason I sincerely wished for his success was due to its significant historical meaning."
He further explained, "In Korean Peninsula history, Honam has always been the homeland of revolution and reform spirit and the heart of democracy, but unfortunately, in 5,000 years of history, it has never unified the entire peninsula," expressing regret, "Even President Kim Dae-jung achieved only half a victory through the DJP coalition."
However, he emphasized, "Candidate Lee Nak-yeon was overwhelmingly first nationwide at the time," and "I thought it was better for him to win the presidential election than for me to win, so I told him to achieve the first Honam-centered grand unification in Korean Peninsula history and to end the ruinous regionalism."
Lee went on to say, "One year later, we are in a competition of goodwill, but the candidate's great value remains unchanged," and "In a recent interview with JoongAng Ilbo, I only said that I have great competitiveness as a Democratic Party candidate with nationwide appeal, recognized for ability, trust, and integrity, and I never made any statements promoting regionalism as claimed by the candidate's side, nor does the interview article contain such content."
He also criticized, "Regrettably, camp officials of the candidate are attacking me by fabricating statements I never made, saying 'Lee Jae-myung made regionalism remarks in the interview,'" and "While saying not to promote regionalism, they are instead fostering ruinous regionalism, and while saying to be quiet, they are shouting loudly."
Lee stated, "The candidate has personally heard my words and must have seen my interview article in JoongAng Ilbo," and "As a direct party to our conversation, please check the JoongAng Ilbo interview article and the full interview transcript, and discipline and restrain the camp officials who spread fake news that 'Lee Jae-myung promoted regionalism,' betraying the One Team spirit and fostering ruinous regionalism."
On the same day, Lee released his interview article, transcript, and audio recording.
Reporter: Considering the final victory in the general election, I think you are challenging now because you believe you are the winning card. The Democratic Party has many good and excellent candidates, but why do you think you are the winning card among them?
Governor Lee Jae-myung: The idea of regime judgment is realistically working, and before I declared my candidacy, I said that being a two-term governor was still an option, right? That was not an empty word but sincere. I am still young, and I have only served as governor for three years, with much to do ahead. So, if someone has a card that can really win, I would actively support them. That was my position.
Also, last year, when Lee Nak-yeon, the party leader candidate, came to Gyeonggi Province during the party leadership election, I sincerely wished him well and said I hoped he would win the presidential election. At that time, his approval ratings were evenly high nationwide.
The reason I said that was because, in the 5,000-year history of the Korean Peninsula, the so-called Baekje and Honam regions have never unified the entire peninsula as the main force. Never. Not once. President Kim Dae-jung was the first to do so, and it was a half-success. He allied with Chungcheong. But at that time, I saw that Lee Nak-yeon was receiving very even support nationwide, so I thought he could win. If he won, it would be history. I judged that it was better for him to win than for me to win. So, I sincerely wished him well and said that. It was sincere, but I don't know how the other side took it. But my heart was truly like that then.
But after that, the approval ratings changed a lot. Now, winning is more important, and realistically, the most important card is expansion power. A candidate who can receive votes evenly nationwide. I thought that candidate was me. There are several reasons. First, I think I am trustworthy, do not say empty words, and am competent. I achieve great results even with small tools. Trust, performance, competence, and then integrity. I was thoroughly investigated, but nothing was found. If there had been, I would be dead. I even endured trials for things that did not exist.
In those three aspects, I keep promises and have a high pledge fulfillment rate. I tenaciously keep promises unless they are illegal or objectively problematic. I even fasted in Gwanghwamun because I was oppressed while pushing welfare policies. You know that, right? So, I pushed welfare policies to keep my promises, and my pledge fulfillment rate is 95%, which is very important. You should check if other politicians keep their promises. Trust is the most important.
Second, the authority of the governor of Gyeonggi Province or mayor of Seongnam City is limited, with a small budget. But I achieved many results with those small tools. The governor of Gyeonggi Province was called the graveyard of presidential candidates, but I completely reversed that. You can achieve great results with small tools. That is the performance issue. Currently, the satisfaction with the provincial government is ranked first.
Third, I have no corruption. Actually, the reason I fought with my third older brother was because he interfered in administration, and I tried to stop that, which led to the conflict. We tried to resolve it through our mother, but the clash happened. Because of these three aspects, I receive broad support nationwide and have regional expansion power. Combining these, I judged that I have the highest chance of winning the general election.
Reporter: Other candidates' expansion power in the general election is somewhat weak?
Governor Lee Jae-myung: It is difficult for me to comment on other candidates. Each has strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, the people will judge, and that will happen. Because of the three factors I mentioned, I receive broad support across all regions, age groups, and sectors in South Korea. This can only be explained by ability, trust, and integrity.
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