Jeong Dong-yeong to Lee: "You Understand After Falling... Presidential Election Success Isn't Just About Canvassing"

Lee Jae-myung to Visit 31 Cities and Counties in Gyeonggi-do Over 5 Days Starting the 23rd
Jung Dong-young "Schedule Should Be Shortened"

Jeong Dong-young bidding farewell after losing election
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, has been visiting 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province for a 4-night, 5-day schedule starting from the 23rd, announcing pledges daily. Meanwhile, Jeong Dong-young, former Minister of Unification who rejoined the Democratic Party, revealed that he advised Lee to "reduce his schedule."

Jeong appeared on CBS Radio's 'Hanpan Seungbu' on the 26th and said, "I advised him several times not to engage in negativity, and another advice was to reduce his schedule."

He continued, "I know from experience that a presidential election is not won by going around everywhere on foot. Reflect on how to lead the country. If that shows on your expression, that is a more powerful campaign." He added, "I conveyed this to the candidate and told him to reduce his schedule, but it seems he is not able to reduce it well."

Jeong Dong-yeong, former Minister of Unification Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding Lee showing tears during a campaign speech while mentioning 'family issues,' Jeong said, "Can't you see it as a desperate and sincere appearance?" He evaluated, "He has risen from the difficult market grounds to this point. Even thinking about it himself, it's truly remarkable."

Jeong pointed to the 'real estate issue' as the difficulty Lee is facing. He said, "During the 2007 presidential election, there was public unrest due to tax bombs, comprehensive real estate holding tax, and so on. I think there was tax resistance. It's the same this time. Lee Jae-myung is also struggling under the burden of the Moon Jae-in administration's failed real estate policies."

Jeong ran as the presidential candidate of the United Democratic Party in the 17th presidential election in 2007 but was defeated by former President Lee Myung-bak. At that time, Lee Myung-bak's vote share was 48.67%, while Jeong's was only 26.14%. On the 26th, Jeong returned to the party after 7 years as the Democratic Party's closed supreme council approved the reinstatement of 734 members.