"Beginner Drivers More Dangerous Than Drunk Drivers," Lee Jae-myung Says... Opposition Criticizes Him for "Not Understanding Crime Severity"

Opposition: "Ignoring the pain of drunk driving victims and their families"
Lee Jae-myung Camp: "Pointed out that the possibility of a beginner driver's mistake is greater"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is answering questions at the Kwanhun Club invitation debate held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 10th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 10th, Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, sparked controversy by targeting Yoon Seok-yeol, the candidate of the People Power Party, saying, "Novice drivers are more dangerous than those with a history of drunk driving." Previously, Lee had been fined for drunk driving in July 2004. In response, the People Power Party criticized him, saying he "does not understand the seriousness of drunk driving crimes."

Kim Yeon-ju, the full-time deputy spokesperson of the People Power Party, issued a statement that day, directly attacking, "The theory that drivers with a history of drunk driving at the license cancellation level have an advantage over novices is extremely dangerous."

He explained, "At the Kwanhun Club debate held at the Press Center today, Candidate Lee made the absurd remark that 'novice drivers are more dangerous than those with a history of drunk driving.' This comment appeared while evaluating the statement made by Ahn Cheol-soo, the leader of the People’s Party, on the 7th, who compared Candidate Yoon and Candidate Lee to novice and drunk drivers."

He continued, "Candidate Lee once again revealed his dangerously flawed perception. Although he was a first-time offender for drunk driving in 2004, his blood alcohol concentration was 0.158%, a level warranting license cancellation, indicating he was heavily intoxicated. Therefore, he was fined 1.5 million won, a relatively high amount for drunk driving," he pointed out.

Deputy Spokesperson Kim said, "Candidate Lee’s remark that a person with a history of drunk driving, which is included among the seven disqualifications for public office candidates under the Moon Jae-in administration, is better than a novice driver, disregards the pain of drunk driving victims and their families and is nothing but a confession of ignorance about the seriousness of drunk driving crimes."

Earlier, on the 7th, Ahn Cheol-soo, the People’s Party candidate, said about the current presidential race, "The people are now forced to choose between a drunk driver and a novice driver." This was seen as a jab at Candidate Lee’s past drunk driving record and Candidate Yoon’s lack of political experience.

In response, Candidate Lee retorted at the Kwanhun debate held that day, "Novice drivers are more dangerous than those with a history of drunk driving."

Candidate Lee said, "A leader who bears the ultimate responsibility for the administration and management of the country must not make mistakes. Novices may be clean, but they are more likely to make mistakes. The more you do the dishes, the more likely you are to break plates, but if you hire novices to do it safely, it is dangerous," he said.

Regarding his drunk driving record, he said, "I acknowledge my fault and apologize. However, please consider that since then, especially after becoming a public official, I have not made mistakes."

Meanwhile, a member of Candidate Lee’s campaign clarified after the remarks caused controversy, saying, "It means that among those with a history of drunk driving and novice drivers, the person more likely to make mistakes is the novice driver," and added, "It does not mean that novice driving is more dangerous than drunk driving."