Lee Kwang-jae: "Gangwon Province Governor Election Shifts from Ruling Party Theory to Personality Theory... Special Self-Governing Province Act is the First Gift"

"Public sentiment is leaning toward Lee Kwang-jae"
"The essence of politics must now shift to focusing on the people's livelihood issues"
"My candidacy is part of the Democratic Party's reform process"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Lee Kwang-jae, the Democratic Party candidate for Governor of Gangwon Province, stated on the 31st, a day before the June 1 local elections, "What I currently feel is that the public sentiment in this dramatic turnaround is shaking intensely, and I can feel it deeply," adding, "I am confident that we will ultimately succeed in this dramatic turnaround."

On the same day, on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Lee said, "I have a feeling that public sentiment is leaning towards Lee Kwang-jae," and mentioned, "For example, members of the People Power Party wave their hands at me, take photos, and say the governor should be Lee Kwang-jae."

He added, "At the beginning of the election, it was a ruling party theory, but after three debates and a farmers-related debate, I felt that the focus shifted from the ruling party theory to a personality theory, saying that the figure to support should be Lee Kwang-jae," and also said, "My candidacy itself is a process of reforming the Democratic Party." Lee emphasized, "I am clearly positioning myself as a governor for jobs, education, and filial piety," and stated, "I am confident that the essence of politics must now move to a stage focusing on the issues of people's lives, and I want to believe that the essence of politics must now move to a stage focusing on the issues of people's lives."

Regarding the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Act, which passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 29th, he said, "I think it can be called the Lee Kwang-jae Act," and introduced, "I requested the passage of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Act as a condition for running in the Democratic Party and promised to pass it within May, but the political circles said it was impossible." He continued, "Regarding the promise to do it in May, candidate Kim Jin-tae said it was impossible within May, and at the second debate, when I suggested going together to persuade the National Assembly, he called it a shell bill. The transition committee announced it would be done in 2025, but I said that was the same as not doing it, so I pushed hard, and it was eventually passed."

Lee said, "I think the Special Self-Governing Province Act is the first gift I give to the people of Gangwon," and added, "The important task ahead is to create a special self-governing province that surpasses Jeju Island and Sejong City and is truly loved by all Koreans, and I believe I can do that better."

Previously, Lee had demanded the passage of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Act from the Democratic Party as a prerequisite for his candidacy for governor of Gangwon Province.