Intensive Campaign Rally Held in Mokpo, Jeonnam on the 15th
"Yeouido Is Waging War, Not Politics"
Stresses the Need to Change Korea's Political Structure
Recruiting Jeong Ho Yong and Seok Dong Hyun Is an Insult to the People
Vows to Carry On the Legacies of Kim Dae Jung and Roh Moo Hyun
Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, actively appealed for support from Mokpo citizens at a campaign rally held at the circular shopping center in Mokpo Peace Plaza around 7 p.m. on the 15th. Photo by Shim Jin Seok
Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung visited Mokpo, Jeonnam, the hometown of the late President Kim Dae Jung, on the 15th and declared, "I will build a Korea full of hope."
At a campaign rally in front of the circular shopping center at Mokpo Peace Plaza around 7 p.m. that day, Lee stated, "Politics is about creating policies necessary for a better life," and emphasized, "We just need to go straight, regardless of left or right. I hope domestic politics can also change in this way."
He continued, "When I went to Yeouido, I saw that they were waging war, not politics. If factions have different opinions, they only oppose each other. This is because they only think about profit and loss. The 12·3 Martial Law Declaration ultimately happened for these reasons," he asserted.
Lee said, "We must now change this kind of politics," and defined democracy as "respecting minority opinions while also following the majority decision."
He went on to say, "On the night of December 3 last year, when (Yoon Seok Yeol) declared martial law, the Gwangju Democratization Movement suddenly came to mind. I thought I might die, but I trusted the people and went to the National Assembly. The people quickly went to the National Assembly and blocked the armored vehicles and martial law troops," he revealed.
He added, "It is these great people who are leading Korea. Historically, we have always overcome national crises through the power of the people."
Democratic Party lawmakers Jiwon Park, Gaeho Lee, Woni Kim, and others visited the campaign site in Mokpo, Jeonnam on the 15th to ask supporters and citizens to support candidate Jaemyung Lee. Photo by Jinseok Shim
Lee reiterated, "During the Gwangju Democratization Movement, there was not a single act of violence or incident. Are these not great people? Even during the IMF crisis, we were able to overcome it thanks to the people who came out to sell gold rings during the gold collection campaign."
He continued, "Martial law is not over yet. I saw news that the People Power Party is trying to recruit Jeong Ho Yong (former commander of the Special Warfare Command) to its election committee. They tried to appoint Seok Dong Hyun, the number one lawyer for Yoon Seok Yeol, the main culprit of the rebellion. This is unacceptable and is mocking the people," he criticized.
Lee added, "President Kim Dae Jung achieved the first peaceful transfer of power, and President Roh Moo Hyun made politics without money possible. By following the path of democracy and political reform, we have arrived at where we are today. I will carry on the will of these two presidents and build a peaceful, safe, and prosperous democratic society."
On the 15th, thousands of citizens visiting the circular shopping center at Mokpo Peace Plaza cheered and showed their support for candidate Lee Jae Myung. Photo by Shim Jinseok
In addition, Lee expressed his commitment to fostering the southwestern coastal region as the central hub of Korea's energy industry.
Meanwhile, with his visits to Gwangyang, Yeosu, Suncheon, and Mokpo completed on this day, Lee concluded his first official campaign tour in the Honam region.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
