Lee Jun-seok "Must Clarify Position on April 3 Incident and Yeosu-Suncheon Incident"
Support from Candidates Chun Ha-ram, Heo Eun-ah, Kim Yong-tae, Lee Gi-in
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok visited Jeju on the 13th, where the party's presidential candidates held their first joint debate. He supported the Lee Jun-seok faction candidates running in this election, including Cheon Ha-ram, Heo Eun-ah, Kim Yong-tae, and Lee Gi-in ('Cheon-A-Yong-In').
On the same day, Lee visited the candidates who came to Jeju for the party convention joint speech event and paid respects at the April 3rd Peace Park. At a meeting with bereaved families, he urged the presidential candidates to clearly state their positions on the April 3rd Incident and the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident. The April 3rd Incident was a popular uprising that occurred in Jeju Island immediately after liberation, and the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident was a rebellion by some soldiers in the Yeosu and Suncheon areas. These are considered representative civilian massacres caused by left-right conflicts surrounding the establishment of a single government amid the turmoil of the post-liberation period.
Lee said, "When visiting Jeju, it is naturally an essential process for party leader candidates to engage in dialogue with the bereaved families," adding, "I hope that whatever leadership comes in the future will continue this path."
He continued, "In the case of the May 18 Democratic Movement, the president led party members to visit, and differences in historical perspectives within the party have disappeared," but added, "We must coldly acknowledge that there are still some differences within the party regarding the April 3rd and Yeosu-Suncheon incidents. Everyone running in this leadership election should clearly state their positions on these incidents to help local party members make an accurate choice."
Candidate Cheon said, "The Seohee Party has done a lot in terms of passing bills, designating memorial days, and creating democratic cemeteries, but they failed to properly care for the bereaved families and sometimes made outrageous remarks," adding, "If I become party leader, I will boldly eliminate the culture of offensive remarks and factional logic and continue to take care of detailed follow-up measures."
When bereaved family association officials attending the meeting complained that "even after calling the central party 11 times, there was no way to meet. Is it really that hard to meet the party leader?" Candidate Cheon responded, "Please feel free to contact me anytime on my direct number. I am an easy man to meet."
Earlier, after paying respects at the April 3rd Peace Park, Candidate Cheon stated, "As a citizen of Suncheon, I understand better than anyone the pain of the Jeju and Jeonnam residents stained with camellia flowers," and pledged, "I will make sure that no citizen is excluded from the People Power Party's domain and that it becomes a party that takes meticulous responsibility."
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