Lee's side: "It was a smoking cessation guidance period... Not in violation of the law"
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is smoking a cigarette in a restaurant. Photo by Kim Woong, member of the People Power Party, SNS capture.
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] As a photo of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, putting his feet on the seat while wearing shoes on a train was revealed, the People Power Party counterattacked by releasing a photo of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, smoking inside a restaurant.
On the 14th, Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, shared a photo on his Facebook page from around 2014 showing Lee holding a cigarette in what appears to be a restaurant.
He wrote, "Here (Lee) smoked even when told not to by those nearby," adding, "I look forward to the reaction of those who suddenly criticized (Yoon) saying 'lack of public morals, international embarrassment'." He tagged the post with "Embarrassed if someone sees this."
The photo Kim posted was a direct capture from a Facebook post by one of the attendees at the time. The attendee wrote, "A few days after Lee Jae-myung's book launch event titled 'Grasping the Tail of Democracy to Shake the Body,' the publisher, Lee Jae-myung, and volunteers gathered for a meal."
He continued, "During the meal, Lee Jae-myung smoked at the table. At that time, it was the restaurant's smoking ban guidance period, so it was not illegal, but everyone around was quite surprised."
He claimed, "When someone said, 'Mayor, you shouldn't smoke here,' Lee replied, 'I'm the one who collects and executes taxes, so who can say anything? Why can't I smoke?' and then smoked."
In response, Lee's side explained, "Since it was the smoking ban guidance period, it was not an act violating the law," adding, "At that time, Lee Jae-myung and his party were the only ones in the restaurant. It was not a situation that caused harm to others."
They further stated, "Lee never said, 'I'm the one who collects and executes taxes, so who can say anything? Why can't I smoke?' Not only Lee but all attendees were in a relaxed atmosphere where smoking was allowed."
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