Kukim "Treating Incheon residents as outsiders... Admit the misconduct and step down cleanly"
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, and Yoon Hyung-sun, the People Power Party candidate, who are running in the Incheon Gyeyang-gu B by-election, are taking a commemorative photo on the 25th at the OBS Gyeongin TV studio in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, before the start of the "National Assembly By-election Gyeyang-gu B Constituency Candidate Debate" hosted by the Gyeyang-gu Election Commission. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] The People Power Party criticized Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate running in Incheon Gyeyang-eul, for saying that the Incheon area is "originally a place where outsiders gather to live," accusing him of "treating Incheon residents as outsiders."
Park Min-young, spokesperson for the People Power Party, introduced an article related to Lee's radio interview remarks on her Facebook on the 26th, pointing out, "Lee Jae-myung himself has no ties to Incheon, so why does he make innocent Incheon citizens into rootless outsiders after running without any foundation?"
She added, "Candidate Lee Jae-myung! Please get a grip. Crushing others' identities to justify your own eccentric behavior is something only a local thug would do," urging, "If you are going to act like this, just resign." She also said, "The moment you fled to your stronghold and were chased within the margin of error, Lee Jae-myung's political life was already over," and urged, "Admit it and step down cleanly. That would be the only way to find some last bit of light."
Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, also claimed that the candidate treated Incheon residents as outsiders. On the same day on Facebook, he said, "Someone who arrived 20 days ago treated Incheon residents who have lived there for decades as complete outsiders. (Candidate Lee) should be scolded for another verbal blunder today," adding, "Yoon Hyung-sun, the People Power Party candidate, does not only have local ties to boast of, but Lee has no 'ties' at all. Looking at the gap in approval ratings, he is just a 'big shot petitioner,' and his greatest achievement is Daejang-dong, so he has no ties and nothing to boast about."
Meanwhile, Lee's remarks were a response to criticism that he has no ties to the Incheon Gyeyang-eul district where he is running. He said, "The residents of Gyeyang are presented with two choices: someone with ties or someone capable," adding, "That's why they tend to keep asking about ties to the opponent. Because all they have to boast about is their ties."
He continued, "Incheon may have indigenous residents, but it is originally a place where outsiders gather to live, and the phrase 'Haebulyangsu' is a famous saying mainly used in Incheon. The sea does not block the river (meaning), and there is greater expectation that a capable and influential politician will help the region's development," he elaborated.
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