Lee Jae-myung "Stop Excessive Black Propaganda... The Party Should Sanction"

Verification Targets and Methods Are Unlimited... 'Beautiful Primaries' Must Be Achieved

Resigning from Governor Position Is Not Advisable Even If Election Campaign Is Disadvantageous

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province and a preliminary presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press briefing at the Democratic Party's Gwangju City Party Office on the 25th.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential primary candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, argued that excessive negative campaigning should stop.

On the 25th, Lee held a press conference at the Democratic Party Gwangju Metropolitan City Party Office and said, "There should be no restrictions on the subject or method of verification, but there must be no negative campaigning based on falsehoods and distortions."

He added, "The Democratic Party primary should involve beautiful and accurate verification, but it is regrettable that negative campaigning has become excessive," and stated, "I hope the party will impose sanctions on excessive negativity."

He also said, "Quota systems for socially disadvantaged groups are absolutely necessary," explaining, "For example, statistically, the university early admission system is advantageous to socially disadvantaged groups, but due to suspicions like 'Wouldn't the interviewer's thoughts be reflected?' people prefer the regular admission system."

He continued, "A situation arises where young people hate each other instead of competing as friends," emphasizing, "Competition inevitably leads to division. The political sphere should embrace this issue, and it is necessary to increase the total amount of opportunities to prevent excessive competition."

He also analyzed his past and present self.

Lee said, "Four years ago, I was like a jagged stone rolling in a valley, getting hit a lot and receiving many wounds. Because of this, people seem to see me as a very rough person," emphasizing, "Now, I have become a rounded stone by the riverside. However, the essence of the stone has not changed."

He added, "While serving as Mayor of Seongnam and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, I realized that softness is more powerful than strength," explaining, "A representative example is the maintenance of valleys. By focusing on compromise, persuasion, and communication, the process proceeded faster than forcibly demolishing. Some residents even expressed gratitude for not just demolition but finding a way to live."

Along with this, he said, "The task of leaders in this era is to solve problems through dialogue and communication," analyzing, "Currently, experience like mine in the field and in actual combat is necessary. The democracy of the Republic of Korea has been centered in Honam and will continue to be so."

He expressed his intention to maintain his governorship despite disadvantages in election campaigning.

Lee said, "There are many restrictions when campaigning while serving as governor," but added, "However, I believe it is not desirable to resign before the primary ends."