Lee Jae-myung: "Seongnam City Medical Center is the starting point of my political career"

Night view of Seongnam City Medical Center

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, a leading presidential candidate within the Democratic Party of Korea and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, stated that 'Seongnam City Medical Center' was the starting point that led him to decide to enter politics, and shared the background of how the Seongnam City Medical Center was established after many trials and tribulations.

He especially emphasized that the nation's top priority is to protect the lives and safety of its citizens, and promised to make further efforts to expand public healthcare.

On the 13th, through a post on Facebook titled 'Seongnam City Medical Center is the starting point of my politics,' he said, "A patient who was in a coma due to COVID-19 received 'ECMO' treatment at Seongnam City Medical Center and was safely discharged," adding, "It is fortunate for both the patient and their family, and I thank all the medical staff at Seongnam City Medical Center for their hard work and dedication."

He continued, "I feel a great sense of fulfillment from the achievements of Seongnam City Medical Center," and "As many already know, Seongnam City Medical Center is the reason I decided to enter politics."

He went on, "When I was working as a human rights lawyer and about to enter civic activism, two general hospitals in the original downtown area of Seongnam closed down," and "At that time, I also started the campaign to establish Seongnam Municipal Hospital together with residents as a co-representative, but the city council rejected the first resident-initiated ordinance in just 47 seconds through a snap vote."

He particularly recalled, "It was an ordinance prepared with the signatures of 18,595 citizens who braved the freezing winter to warm their frozen hands, but it was instantly torn to shreds by a few politicians, which made me feel very unfair and angry," adding, "While protesting together with citizens who were attending the session, I was wanted on charges of obstructing official duties, and this is how I acquired one of my criminal records."

Lee also shared the sorrow he felt while being wanted and the background of his entry into politics.

He said, "On March 28, 2004, at 5 p.m., while hiding from the warrant in the basement of a church, I burst into tears out of sorrow while eating a lunchbox brought by a senior," and recalled, "At that time, I thought, 'Let's change reality. The vested interests have no concern for the health and lives of the people unless it benefits them. If they don't do it, let's change it with our own hands. Instead of asking others, (I) will become the mayor and change it with my own hands.' That was the beginning of politician Lee Jae-myung."

Ten years later, in November 2013, he attended the groundbreaking ceremony of Seongnam Municipal Medical Center as the mayor of Seongnam and pressed the button, and in the second half of 2017, Seongnam City Medical Center was established.

Lee emphasized, "Now, Seongnam City Medical Center plays a key role in public healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic," and "Protecting the lives and safety of the people is the most important duty of the state, and the success of Seongnam City Medical Center is a representative case showing why public healthcare is necessary."