Lee Jae-myung Consoles Wildfire Victims... "Must Prepare Housing Support"

Visited Andong Immediately After Acquittal

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Andong, Gyeongbuk to console the victims affected by the wildfire.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is encouraging paramedics at a wildfire evacuation center set up at Andong Gymnasium in Andong-si, Gyeongbuk, on the afternoon of the 26th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the afternoon of the 26th, Lee visited the Andong Gymnasium, where a shelter had been set up, and told reporters, "We need to prepare housing support in advance so that these people can quickly return to their livelihoods," adding, "Since this is such a large-scale disaster, I am worried whether there are enough supplies nationwide. We will start taking care of this from now on."

According to spokesperson Hwang Jeong-ah, Lee told the victims, "Isn't this what the country should do? The government collects taxes to find ways for the people to survive during disaster situations like this."

Lee’s on-site visit was accompanied by Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province; Kwon Ki-chang, Mayor of Andong; Shin Jeong-hoon, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee; Kim Byung-joo, Supreme Council member; Moon Dae-rim, Member of the National Assembly; and Han Byung-do, Member of the National Assembly. Andong is also Lee’s hometown.

Lee traveled to Andong immediately after being acquitted in the appeal trial for violating the Public Official Election Act. On the same day, he posted on Facebook, “Although I have overcome personal hardships once, I am worried when I think of the suffering of the people caused by the wildfire,” adding, “The places scorched by the flames, the residents who lost their homes overnight are spending sleepless nights.” He continued, “I am heading to Andong now. We will unite our efforts to ensure responsible and swift support for the affected residents,” and “We will do our best to help them restore their daily lives as soon as possible.”