Lee Jae-myung Visits Honam: "Democratic Forces' Main Battle is Indeed Jeolla"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Lee Jae-myung, the ruling party's presidential candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, visited Jeollabuk-do on the 1st and said, "The main battleground for the democratic forces is Jeolla Province. Without Jeolla Province, it is difficult for the Democratic Party to exist," appealing to the public sentiment in Honam.

At a press conference held at the Jeonbuk Provincial Council that day, Lee said, "The banner of the Donghak Peasant Revolution and the original start of the Great Unity Society was Jeonbuk," adding, "I believe that the vast majority of Democratic Party members nationwide are either natives of Jeolla Province, expatriates, or have family there."

Regarding former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who hails from Jinan, Jeonbuk, he said, "Former Prime Minister Chung, who is also participating in the (presidential) race, as he said himself, picked me up and nurtured me," and praised him as "a person with great responsibility and real capability. A wonderful political senior who takes responsibility until the end and produces results."

In response to questions from reporters about the recent regionalism controversy, he said, "The story of reverse discrimination is not true at all. Journalists must have listened to the recorded files, and there was a misunderstanding," adding, "Since it causes wounds and harm to everyone, I hope the content will be viewed accurately."

He tried to reconcile the negative exchanges among presidential candidates. Lee said, "The primary is not a process where someone excludes others and survives alone, but a process of creating a stronger, more robust team through competition," adding, "Former Representative Lee Nak-yeon is an outstanding and capable person who has served the country for a long time, and former Prime Minister Chung is a responsible and excellent person, so it is an honor to compete with them."

He added, "From my perspective, since I did not even minimally defend myself in the preliminary primary, misunderstandings arose, so I will actively defend myself going forward. However, I will not engage in unnecessary negative attacks that cross the line."