[One Remark Shakes Up the Presidential Race] "What Are You Afraid Of?" vs "Is It My Fault?"... Unexpected Bulletproof Vest Debate

Kim Moonsoo Requests Reduced Security Detail
Lee Jaemyung Warns of "Plot to Eliminate Political Opponents"

As the 21st presidential election approaches, the issue of Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae Myung wearing a bulletproof vest has emerged as a subject of political controversy among the presidential candidates.

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is speaking on the 20th at a focused campaign event held in front of Starfield in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, emphasizing that he is not wearing a bulletproof vest. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On the 21st, People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo said during his campaign stops in Goyang, Gimpo, and Paju in Gyeonggi Province, "Some candidates are wearing bulletproof vests right now, but I have nothing here. My bulletproof vest is all of you," as he lifted his outer garment to show he was not wearing one. After his speech, he shook hands with supporters one by one, engaging in what he called a "skinship campaign." Kim's campaign has requested the police to reduce his security detail to the minimum necessary personnel.

Kim remarked, "Rather than campaigning while wearing a (bulletproof) vest and standing behind bulletproof glass in such hot weather, wouldn't it be better to just sit in jail?"

Lee Jae Myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, is appealing for support from citizens in front of Lotte Mart Cheongna Branch in Seo-gu, Incheon on the 21st. Photo by Kim Hyun Min

Lee, on the other hand, countered by claiming that there are ongoing plots to eliminate political opponents. At a campaign rally in the north plaza of Bupyeong Station in Incheon the previous day, he said, "Is it the fault of Lee Jae Myung and the Democratic Party that I have to campaign behind bulletproof glass and surrounded by bodyguards? Those who should be repenting are instead insulting the people and making a mockery of a politician who has been stabbed in the neck."

Lee referenced the "Jo Bongam judicial murder," stating, "Let us build a true democratic nation where no one is ever again subjected to judicial murder, stabbed to death, or shot to death, and where fair competition prevails." He added, "The reason I am able to stand here before you, alive and well, despite being trampled by bullets, knives, the law, and the pen, is because of our great people."

The Democratic Party claims to have credible reports that Russian-made rifles have been smuggled into the country. On the 14th, Jeon Hyun Hee, co-chair of the party's election committee, said, "There are constant reports of plots to carry out a terror attack against Lee. We are receiving a flood of specific reports about smuggling of Russian-made pistols or sniper rifles, and the mobilization of black operatives." In response, the police explained that there have been no reports filed by the Democratic Party, and that they have not confirmed any related facts on their own.