"Lee Jae-myung, a Person with Many Wounds, Not a Flawed Person"
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, TV commercial. Photo by YouTube channel 'Lee Jae-myung' video screen capture.
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, released a letter-style presidential TV advertisement titled "To Those Who Dislike Lee Jae-myung" on the first day of official election campaigning on the 15th.
On that day, a video titled "The First Message from Lee Jae-myung, Lee Jae-myung's Letter" was uploaded to the candidate's official YouTube channel.
The 1 minute and 4 seconds video begins with calm background music and narration by a middle-aged man saying, "To those who dislike Lee Jae-myung." The man says, "I know Lee Jae-myung talks a lot, is aggressive, grew up in a difficult environment, and has complicated family issues. I am sorry."
He continues, "But please think once more. Someone said that Lee Jae-myung is not a person full of faults but a person full of wounds, and most of his wounds come from fighting on the side of the weak. Even if there is great hatred, please ask a bigger question."
The advertisement ends with the question, "Overcoming the extremely difficult COVID-19 crisis, solving the very challenging economic crisis. Who will do better?"
Regarding this, Kim Young-hee, head of public relations and communication at the Democratic Party's election campaign committee, said, "This is the first time a TV advertisement has done a 'self-dis' (self-criticism)," adding, "It is a sincere appeal saying, 'I am a person full of faults and wounds, but most of these wounds were caused by standing on the side of the weak.'"
She added, "There was deep consideration on how to resolve misunderstandings and prejudices about the candidate," explaining, "Starting from the hearts and perspectives of the people looking at the candidate, we wanted to convey the life and sincerity of the candidate in the form of a letter."
Kim also said, "It humbly accepts the negative perceptions about the candidate and intends to use this as an opportunity for reflection and transformation," adding, "As much as the concept is shocking, the candidate's appeal will spread more widely with a greater resonance."
Meanwhile, the official election campaign for the 20th presidential election is scheduled to continue until the day before the election, July 8.
The Democratic Party's public relations and communication headquarters plans to produce and release a total of 7 to 8 advertisements during the presidential election period, with follow-up ads to be released sequentially.
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