Lee Jae-myung: "Honam is not the Democratic Party's stronghold, but its warning bell and disciplinary rod"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is giving a greeting speech at the launch ceremony of the Gwangju Election Countermeasures Committee on the 28th.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 28th, "I will make the people of the Honam region love the Democratic Party again."

On the same day, Lee attended the launch ceremony of the Gwangju Election Countermeasures Committee held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju Metropolitan City and said, "I will make it so that the phrase 'Honam is the Democratic Party's stronghold' is no longer heard."

He continued, "Honam is not the Democratic Party's stronghold but the party's disciplinary stick," emphasizing, "The fact that there is no Democratic Party without Honam, and no Lee Jae-myung without Honam, is because Honam has been a wake-up call like a disciplinary stick rather than a stronghold."

He added, "I will regain the hearts of Honam. Like the spirit of the Gwangju election committee launching today, I want to ask you to become the main actors of today."

Furthermore, he said, "I am truly sorry for leaving this harsh world to the 2030 generation. However, we cannot stop here, nor should we stop," and asserted, "We will restore growth to increase the total amount of opportunities, and in this process, create a country where young people can challenge without fear of failure."

He said, "Today, for the first time nationwide, a regional election committee was launched in Gwangju. It is also a youth election committee," emphasizing, "Gwangju has initiated change and innovation. The attempt from Gwangju resonates greatly even in the central election committee."

Regarding his vision for youth, he explained, "We must create a world where young people can enjoy opportunities and dream of the future," adding, "We cannot entrust the future of our country to people without philosophy or historical awareness. Politicians should be servants of the people, not rulers."

He also reiterated that thorough self-reflection is the starting point of innovation.

Lee said, "Because of the May 18 Democratic Movement, I changed from a young man dreaming of personal glory to someone whose life was transformed and socially reborn," and stated, "Gwangju is a social mother. I came here to create a completely renewed and innovative new hope for Honam."

He continued, "Our people made the Democratic Party a giant party with 180 seats, but we did not fully meet the expectations of Gwangju and Honam," reflecting, "We should have thoroughly reborn as a party prioritizing the people and their livelihoods, but we fell short."

Along with this, he said, "Above all, we failed to prevent real estate speculation. I will relinquish the vested interests remaining within the government," and pledged, "We will start completely anew. We will respond as a changed Democratic Party."

He added, "I will change and innovate starting with myself," and concluded, "As an economic president who thinks only of the economy and a livelihood president who thinks only of the people's welfare, I will meet the expectations of Gwangju and Honam."