Lee Jae-myung "There Are Too Many Thieves in the Country"... Heo Kyung-young "They Even Stole My Famous Saying"

Presidential candidate Heo Kyung-young of the National Revolutionary Party (left) and presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea
[Photo by Heo Kyung-young's Facebook capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Heo Kyung-young, the presidential candidate of the National Revolutionary Party, criticized Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, for stealing policies and famous quotes.

On the 4th, Heo shared an article about Lee's campaign in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province on his Facebook, saying, "Lee said, 'The country does not lack money, but there are many thieves,' stealing not only Heo Kyung-young's policies but also his famous quotes, causing a stir."

At the campaign site that day, Lee said, "It's not that the country lacks money, but there are too many thieves," and added, "Someone said that, and I agree."

Lee stated, "With the same budget of Seongnam City, without incurring debt or raising taxes, I managed to settle most of the 728.5 billion won debt left by the previous mayor within three and a half years and repaid 500 billion won in cash."

He continued, "Not only are there too many thieves, but thieves also falsely accuse honest people who catch thieves of being thieves," adding, "This is politics."

He then emphasized, "Those who fill their own pockets with selfish desires falsely accuse and oust honest politicians who try to stop them, and this wrong kind of politics, which serves themselves rather than the people, is what has made our lives only this much. If politics is done properly, we can completely renew the country."

The quote Lee cited was originally made by Heo during last year's Seoul mayoral by-election. Heo uses this phrase as a slogan. On the front page of the policy brochure "National Dividend Account" that Heo released on the 5th of last month, the phrase "It is not that the country lacks money, but that there are too many thieves" is written.

Previously, Heo also claimed that Lee copied his kicking performance. When Lee performed a kick during his campaign in Jeonju, Jeonbuk on the 19th of last month, saying, "I will kick this small thing called COVID-19 once," Heo said, "Not only did he plagiarize Heo Kyung-young's pledges, but he even copied the Mugunghwa kick."