Lee Jae-myung Targets Ruling Party: "Group Profited from Daejang-dong... Real Thieves Threaten with Clubs"

Lee Jae-myung, the general election campaign committee chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is running as a candidate for the Incheon Gyeyang-eul by-election, is speaking at the opening ceremony of the June 1 local election office held in Imhak-dong, Gyeyang-gu, Incheon on the 14th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Lee Jae-myung, the overall election committee chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea and candidate for the Incheon Gyeyang-eul by-election, actively refuted the preferential treatment allegations related to Daejang-dong.

On the 14th, at the opening ceremony of his campaign office held in Gyeyang-gu, Lee targeted the People Power Party, saying, "It is called audacity when a thief wields a club and acts arrogantly," and sharpened his words by asking, "Who is the real thief? Who is the group that embezzled money in Daejang-dong?"

He criticized, "The People Power Party filed a complaint against me, and when the police investigate, they insult me by calling me a suspect," adding, "When you file a complaint, you automatically become a suspect, but is it human to file a complaint and then badmouth the person for becoming a suspect?"

He continued, "This is what is called audacity and shamelessness, and I intend to name the People Power Party the 'Jeokbanmuchi Party' (Party of Audacity and Shamelessness)." He added that those who gave benefits to the thieves are the thieves themselves, and he is the person who received insults from the thieves for not giving them benefits.

Lee said, "You should catch the thieves well and be loyal to the owner. Is it right to be criticized just because you got hurt by the thieves?" He pointed out, "(The People Power Party) is threatening with water guns that are not even filled with water and talking about bulletproof vests." He raised his voice, saying, "Should we surrender to that group that points an empty gun and threatens us with nonsense?"

Furthermore, Lee mentioned that he did not receive the people's choice in the last presidential election, saying, "Whether the difference was 10% or 0.1%, we must ultimately respect the people's decision, reflect on it, and take responsibility."

He also emphasized, "In the last election, the people chose judgment after deliberation, but now we need people who will work," adding, "Give me the opportunity to work. Even if I am not the president, I can fulfill the promises made to the people." He appealed, "As the majority party, we can exercise legislative power in the National Assembly and work through policy by conducting state audits and checks."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party continues its offensive against Lee. On the 11th, Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, criticized Lee's candidacy in Incheon, saying, "There is no justification for his candidacy. The Seongnam Bundang-gap district, which includes Daejang-dong, which he always promoted as his greatest achievement, was available, so it is strange that he is not running there."

Floor leader Kwon Seong-dong also claimed, "Lee is uniquely facing numerous criminal charges and allegations among incumbent politicians," asserting that Lee fled to Incheon, where his election is likely, to avoid prosecution.