Lee Nak-yeon Concedes Primary Election "Accepts Primary Results... Congratulates Lee Jae-myung" (Summary)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon announced on the 13th that he will accept the results of the presidential candidate primary election. Lee’s camp officially raised objections, stating that the party’s election commission’s decision to invalidate the votes obtained by candidates who withdrew from the presidential primary on the 11th was wrong.

In a statement released that afternoon, Lee said, “Although the issue of handling votes for withdrawn presidential candidates remains a task, I respect the decision of the party’s executive committee. I accept the results of the presidential primary election.”

He also congratulated Lee Jae-myung (current Governor of Gyeonggi Province), who was selected as the final candidate, saying, “Congratulations. I believe you will do your best for party unity and victory in the presidential election.”

Lee emphasized, “I will work for the victory of the Democratic Party,” adding, “I will contemplate what I can do to overcome the difficulties facing the Democratic Party, gain the trust of the people, and recreate the administration, and I will contribute even a small amount of effort.”

He then addressed the primary election voters, saying, “I hope you will consider and respect each other. No comrade should be humiliated or excluded,” and added, “We cannot win that way. I am very concerned about that. When we unite, the people embrace us more.” This appears to be a remark considering the deepened conflict with Lee Jae-myung’s camp due to the primary election objections.

Lee stated, “I will fulfill my responsibility so that your disappointment can turn into hope,” and raised his voice, saying, “I will join forces to make the Democratic Party more innovative, more evolved, and a more competent party that bears infinite responsibility to the people and the nation.”

He concluded, “The river does not give up on the sea. Let us become a river together,” adding, “The Moon Jae-in administration must succeed. Together with you, I will persistently flow like a river and reach the sea.”