Kim Eo-jun "Lee Jae-myung reached here alone without money, connections, or backing... We must help"
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Broadcaster Kim Eo-jun publicly expressed support for Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, on his YouTube broadcast, sparking controversy. On the 25th, food columnist Hwang Kyo-ik stated, "Kim Eo-jun did not support Lee Jae-myung."
On the same day, Hwang wrote on his Facebook, "What Kim Eo-jun said about Lee Jae-myung was a human understanding and affection, not political support," explaining his stance.
He added, "For it to be political support, at least there should be agreement with Lee Jae-myung's political philosophy and vision, but there is none of that in Kim Eo-jun's words."
Earlier, on the 24th, Kim appeared on the YouTube channel 'Ddanji Broadcasting Station' in the program 'Kim Eo-jun's Dasbweida,' where he said, "Lee Jae-myung came this far on his own," and "From now on, you all need to help him," effectively declaring his support.
Kim said, "The path of someone who breaks through with their own ability without help from money, connections, or backing is difficult and lonely. Very few people reach the presidential candidate stage on that path," and "Therefore, Lee Jae-myung deserves to be our society's platform."
Regarding this, Hwang said, "The reason I started receiving personal attacks from 'extreme Moon supporters' years ago was because I said 'there is a need to understand Lee Jae-myung,'" and "They labeled me as a Lee Jae-myung supporter," criticizing them.
He also said, "I supported Moon Jae-in, not Lee Jae-myung, but they couldn't understand that," and "The group of people who cannot distinguish between human understanding and political support is the 'extreme Moon supporters,'" condemning them.
When criticism arose suggesting his remarks were defending Kim, Hwang posted again on Facebook, stating, "There is absolutely no mutual defense or anything like that between me and Kim Eo-jun." He added, "Anyone who has listened even once to the 'News Factory' I appeared on would know this well."
Meanwhile, regarding Kim's remarks, Kim Byung-min, spokesperson for former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl's presidential campaign from the People Power Party, expressed displeasure, saying, "Since Kim openly started campaigning for the ruling party candidate ahead of the presidential election, he can no longer be entrusted with hosting the broadcast."
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