Lee Jae-myung, Lee Nak-yeon Absent in Honam... "Yoon Seok-yeol's 50 Trillion Won Pledge Accepted"

Wrapping Up Honam Schedule in Yeonggwang, Jeonnam
Campaign Committee Voices Dissatisfaction with Former Representative Lee

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Koo Chae-eun and Jeon Jin-young] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, will visit Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do on the 29th, 100 days before the presidential election, to conclude his 4-night, 5-day schedule in Honam. Yeonggwang is the political stronghold of former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, who faced off against Lee in the primary. However, the possibility of Lee Nak-yeon accompanying the candidate on this schedule is low. The election campaign committee is attempting to coordinate a meeting between the two, but no conclusion has been reached regarding the method or itinerary.

On the morning of the day, Lee will hold a nationwide election campaign committee meeting in Gwangju, followed by a meeting with university students in Gwangju and a luncheon meeting with figures related to the May 18 Democratic Movement, then move to Yeonggwang in the afternoon. If Lee Nak-yeon joins Lee’s final schedule, it could present a genuine ‘one team’ image. However, the likelihood of a meeting between the two remains low for now. Lee Nak-yeon’s side dismissed the possibility on the 26th, stating, "Lee Nak-yeon has long-standing schedules in the Chungcheong and Gyeongnam regions from the 26th to the 28th." On the same day, Rep. Min Hyung-bae responded on the radio to reports that Lee Nak-yeon’s side was asked to accompany Lee by saying, "I understand the timing just doesn’t align well." However, Rep. Woo Won-shik tried to ease tensions by saying, "This is to comfort those who have helped him (Lee Nak-yeon) in other regions, and such actions will rather help unify the party."

Within the campaign committee, there are also signs of dissatisfaction with Lee Nak-yeon’s actions. A senior lawmaker said, "I heard that Lee Nak-yeon neither affirms nor denies supporters who chant ‘candidate replacement’ while touring the region, nor has he made any supportive remarks about the candidate," expressing displeasure by saying, "It looks like he has not cleanly accepted the outcome." If Lee Nak-yeon does not appear to accompany the schedule in Yeonggwang, it is interpreted as reflecting concerns that it will be difficult to draw ‘overwhelming support’ in Honam.

Meanwhile, at the ‘Nationwide Election Campaign Committee Meeting’ held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center on the same day, Lee surprised attendees by proposing to accept the People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl’s pledge of ‘50 trillion won support for small business owners’ and include it in next year’s main budget. Lee said, "I will accept the promise of 50 trillion won support. Instead, let’s find a way to do it right now," and counter-proposed, "If we pre-execute Yoon Seok-youl’s 50 trillion won support budget in next year’s main budget, wouldn’t that prevent losses?" He emphasized, "Regardless of who benefits or loses, I want to fulfill my responsibility by doing what the people need," adding, "Keeping promises is important. We must act on what can be done right now, not just talk. It would be good to do it together."

In his speech, Lee said, "From this moment on, my goal is solely to be an economic president, a president for the people’s livelihood. I will focus all my efforts on filling the people’s wallets and growing the national economy," once again emphasizing the value of ‘practical livelihood reform,’ which he has highlighted as the key to the Democratic Party’s renewal.