Lee Jae-myung "Park Ji-hyun Controversy? Not Sure... Democratic Party Enduring This Much Is Beyond Expectations"

"Poll Approval Ratings Differ from Actual Voting Results... Voting Leads to Victory"
Regarding Internal Strife in the Democratic Party: "Being on the Front Lines Means Not Knowing Anything About Internal Party Matters"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for the Incheon Gyeyang by-election, attended and spoke at the "Press Conference Against the Privatization of Airport Railroad Electric Water" held on the 26th at Gyeyang Station Square in Incheon. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lee Gye-hwa] Lee Jae-myung, the General Election Campaign Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea running in the Incheon Gyeyang-eul by-election, stated on the 26th, "Considering that I have already lost the presidential election, holding out this much now is beyond expectations compared to past cases."

In an interview with CBS Radio's 'Hanpanseungbu' on the same day, Chairman Lee said, "After the presidential election, the side that lost saw their approval ratings plummet to the 20% or 10% range."

He added, "In the local elections held one year after the 2017 presidential election, the People Power Party (PPP), which lost, was completely defeated except in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. This election is being held just 20 days after President Yoon Seok-yeol's inauguration, so it was expected to be very difficult," and said, "The gap in approval ratings is widening to nearly 10-15%, so the expectation is becoming reality."

Responding to the host's comment that "Democratic Party candidates seem to be struggling because the party's approval ratings are fundamentally different," he said, "That's right. The approval rating that can be created by personal tendencies is not high, and the party's approval rating accounts for the largest portion," adding, "We have the responsibility to achieve more than that, so we are doing our best."

He continued, "We are putting in all our efforts and waiting for the will of heaven. If you vote, you win," emphasizing, "Poll approval ratings are not important. Polls differ from reality and results, so don't be influenced by them. If you actively express your opinion, you can create the world you want."

Regarding the question, "What message is the Democratic Party sending to the people?" Chairman Lee said, "Since responsibility has been demanded, now is the time to work. In the last presidential election, the people had no choice but to select accountability for the past unrelated to ability," and appealed, "We need to create rational politics that values the future, capability, and people's lives more than past-oriented accountability. Please give opportunities to capable workers who can design the future through competent workers."

Chairman Lee also avoided answering questions about the internal strife within the party triggered by co-campaign committee chair Park Ji-hyun's candid remarks such as the '586 retirement theory,' saying, "As I am a person responsible on the front line, I am not well aware of what is happening inside, and it is difficult to comment without knowing the context."

Earlier, in response to a question from the host of BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' asking, "Do you think the Democratic Party's internal strife will affect the local election outcome?" he said, "I do not think the Democratic Party's internal issues will have such a serious impact on the election."