"Lee Jae-myung is a person who admits to being a kkondae"
Kim Hye-kyung, wife of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (right), is wiping away tears while attending the 49th-day memorial service of Hong Jung-woon, who died during on-site training, at Yedawon in Sora-myeon, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do on the morning of the 24th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Kim Hyekyung, wife of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, evaluated Lee's "reflective actions" by saying, "I felt sincerity." Recently, Lee has been continuing his reflection and apologies by deeply bowing to the public and posting lengthy apology messages on social media (SNS).
On the 29th, in an interview with 'JTBC,' when asked by the host, "What did you think after seeing Lee's reflective post?" Kim replied, "I understand well what kind of feelings those are," adding, "I felt sincerity, and I cried alone."
She also introduced her husband's strengths. Kim said, "The reason young people think Lee Jae-myung is somewhat better is because he admits that he is a bit of a 'kkondae' (old-fashioned or authoritarian figure)," explaining, "He first acknowledges it and then proceeds."
She continued, "I think people positively evaluate that he listens to what (voters) say," and emphasized again, "Lee is also making a lot of efforts."
She briefly introduced how Lee communicates with the public.
Kim said, "(Lee) thinks deeply by himself about ways to meet the public or deliver messages, then throws questions to me," adding, "When he asks, 'What if we give basic income?' my first reaction is to question, 'Why give money for free?' But as we talk, Lee seems to build his own logic."
She added, "The thing I can do best is to listen well," and "I listen carefully and empathize, then convey it well to my husband and politician Lee Jae-myung so that he can resolve issues."
Candidate Lee is performing a deep bow of apology at the Minsheng and Reform Legislation Promotion Meeting held on the 24th at the Central Party Office conference room in Yeouido, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News
Earlier, on the 20th, Lee posted a 'reflection letter' on his Facebook.
On that day, he bowed his head, saying, "The Democratic Party won the presidential election five years ago with the support of the people and swept the local and general elections, but now it is being criticized as a lazy vested interest," and "The people have continuously said that 'the Democratic Party must change,' but our efforts were too insufficient and slow."
Lee also apologized for controversies surrounding him, including preferential treatment allegations related to the Daejang-dong development project in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and the so-called 'swearing at sister-in-law' incident. He admitted, "Regarding slander and other controversies, sincere reflection and apology should have come before explanations," and "Regarding the Daejang-dong allegations, I only emphasized that I returned much of the profits to the citizens thinking 'As long as I am clean, it's fine,' but I was lacking in understanding the public's disillusionment over unfair gains."
On the 24th, at the 'Democratic Party Livelihood and Reform Legislative Promotion Meeting' held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, he also deeply bowed to the public.
At that time, he said, "While touring nationwide with the 'Maetabus,' I heard many people say, 'Let's live together, let's live a little better,'" and added, "I will deeply reflect and apologize, and from now on, I will be reborn as a completely different, changed, and innovative new Democratic Party," then came to the center and made a deep bow.
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