Lee Jae-myung "Song Young-gil, I thought he might do something... Felt relieved because he cried yesterday"

Song Young-gil Declares He Will Not Run in Next General Election
"Being a Member of the National Assembly Is Everything to a Politician... It's Regrettable"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited Gapyeong Cheolgil Park in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do on the 25th and appealed for support through an impromptu speech. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Regarding Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, announcing his decision not to run in the next general election, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, said, "Actually, I sensed something like that. It's truly regrettable."

On the 25th, during his five-day 'Maetabus (Weekly Ride on the Livelihood Bus)' schedule in the Gyeonggi region, Lee gave an impromptu speech at Gapyeong Cheolgil Park in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, stating, "Song Young-gil, the party leader and standing election committee chairman whom I truly respect, declared that he will not run in the next general election," adding, "In fact, I had a feeling, a sense that he might do something like this."

He continued, "For a politician, being a member of the National Assembly is almost everything," and "Hearing that he is giving that up made me personally feel very regretful."

He also mentioned, "A few of our National Assembly members who have supported me from the beginning declared that even if the next government is formed, they will not take any appointed public office positions. They said they will not take ministerial posts or the like," referring to the previous day's declaration by his close aides, the '7-in group,' to relinquish vested interests.

Earlier that day, when asked about Song's emergency press conference at the Agricultural Technology Center in Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, Lee responded, "I really don't know. What did he do?" This suggests that while Lee had a broad consensus with Song on the content beforehand, he was unaware of the timing and specific details of the announcement.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province on the 24th and shed tears while recalling his family history and past.
Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding his emotional breakdown revealing an unfortunate family history in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, on the previous day (24th), Lee said, "I honestly feel relieved after crying yesterday," adding, "I won't cry anymore."

He continued, "Since my mother has passed away, we will change so that our people do not have to cry, so that people who are struggling so much in life do not feel like 'I should just leave this world.' We will truly change politics and politicians. We will work hard so that the world changes and our lives and future change, so please give us a chance this time," appealing to the public.

He added, "I have disappointed you a lot until now, but from now on, I truly promise to change. I am even sacrificing parts of myself, so if you give me one more chance, I will work really hard."

Meanwhile, Song held a press conference that morning, announcing his decision not to run in the next general election, along with his stance on banning four-term consecutive re-elections for National Assembly members in the same district and not fielding candidates in by-elections such as in Jongno.