Lee Jaemyung Criticizes "Context Stripping and Distortion"
Controversy Over False Information Escalates Around Kim Yongtae's Remarks
The remarks by Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding "the cost of coffee being 120 won," sparked controversy during the TV debate hosted by the three major broadcasters. This statement further escalated into a debate over a potential violation of the Public Official Election Act by Kim Yongtae, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party.
During the debate hosted by the National Election Commission and aired on the three major broadcasters on the 18th, Kim Moonsoo, the candidate from the People Power Party, questioned Lee Jaemyung, asking, "How can you still believe that the cost of coffee is 120 won?" In response, Lee Jaemyung explained, "There is always context to what is said. What I meant was that the raw material cost of coffee?specifically, the price of beans for a cup of coffee around the spring of 2019?was about 120 won. This figure does not include labor or facility costs; it is purely the cost of the raw materials. I said that by switching the business and providing support, it would allow people to operate in better conditions than, for example, selling chicken porridge. My words were taken out of context and distorted."
On the 18th, presidential candidates from each political party pledged their efforts at the 21st Presidential Election Candidate Debate hosted by the National Election Broadcasting Debate Commission held at SBS Prism Tower in Mapo-gu, Seoul. From the left: Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party, Kwon Youngguk of the Democratic Labor Party, Lee Junseok of the Reform New Party, and Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea. 2025.5.18 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
Previously, on the 16th, during a campaign rally in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, Lee Jaemyung stated, "Even if you boil chicken for an hour and sell it after sweating profusely, you only make about 30,000 won after receiving 50,000 won. But if you sell a cup of coffee, you can get between 8,000 and 10,000 won, and according to what I found out, the cost is 120 won."
Regarding this, Kim Moonsoo posted on social media, "It is absurd to claim to revive the people's economy while portraying self-employed individuals as greedy profiteers. Candidate Lee should immediately apologize to the self-employed and small business owners who struggle every day to make a living."
The remarks in question have led to controversy over the dissemination of false information. Lee Jaemyung pointed out, "Kim Yongtae, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, used quotation marks to claim that Lee Jaemyung said the cost was 120 won but sold it at a high price, thus distorting and manipulating my words to attack the self-employed."
Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, responded to this. He said, "As far as I know, the Democratic Party said it would delete parts related to the act of disseminating false information, allowing for freer speech in such debates. Then what is the point of accusing Kim Yongtae of distortion over his remarks?"
In response, Lee Jaemyung stated, "It is rare anywhere in the world to punish someone for actions in the past, while leaving matters like religion, work experience, or educational background untouched, just for the sake of winning an election. Isn't that system being abused?" He added, "If someone spreads false information for the purpose of winning an election, they should be punished."
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