35-Minute Speech: "Rebellion" Mentioned 25 Times, "Martial Law" 9 Times
Stresses Need for Change of Government While Criticizing Yoon
Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, appealed for support on June 2 in Yeouido, his final on-site campaign stop, a day before the June 3 presidential election, while criticizing the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. At this site, which once led the "Revolution of Light," Lee emphasized the need for a change in government, mentioning "rebellion" 25 times during his speech.
Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is appealing for support during his final campaign rally held at the Culture Square in Yeouido Park, Seoul on June 2, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun Min
On June 2 at Yeouido Park in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Lee stated, "Yeouido is a historic site where rebellion was driven out by the light of democracy," and added, "Here, where the Revolution of Light began, we will complete the Revolution of Light." During his remarks, Lee mentioned "rebellion" 25 times and "martial law" 9 times, strongly criticizing the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.
Lee said, "Today marks exactly six months since the illegal emergency martial law was declared," and continued, "Tomorrow is a historic watershed moment that will determine the fate of the Republic of Korea." He added, "If we do not win this presidential election and Yoon Suk Yeol's avatar or Jeon Kwang Hoon's puppet wins, then Yoon Suk Yeol, the ringleader of the rebellion, will once again appear before us as a shadow ruler," and emphasized, "This presidential election is not a contest between blue and red, the Democratic Party and the People Power Party, or Lee Jae Myung and someone else. It is a direct confrontation between the people and the forces of rebellion."
Criticism of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration and the People Power Party took up most of Lee's 35-minute speech. Lee said, "What is more important is to make it possible to win without fighting, and creating a peaceful state where there is no need to fight is true security," adding, "However, the previous administration only talked about security and actually undermined peace." He also stated, "Just as in the past, with the same North Wind DNA, they damaged peace and provoked North Korea to create justification for emergency martial law by enticing military provocations," and questioned, "Can they really be called a conservative party or a conservative government that properly manages national security?"
Lee continued, "Maintaining order is a core conservative value, but those who only spoke of the rule of law were actually at the forefront of destroying the law," adding, "The Itaewon disaster, the Chae Hae Byung case, the Yangpyeong Expressway, luxury bags, stock price manipulation, nomination interference, opinion rigging, and illegal election suspicions?these enormous illegal and criminal allegations were all created by them in such a short period of time." He also pointed out to the People Power Party, "They protected illegal martial law and opposed the impeachment of the ringleader of the rebellion."
On June 2, 2025, a day before the presidential election, citizens cheer while holding light sticks at the campaign rally of Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, held at the Culture Square in Yeouido Park, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
He said, "If you sternly judge the rebellion and give me, Lee Jae Myung, the opportunity to lead the government, Lee Jae Myung and the Democratic Party will not only overcome the rebellion and restore democratic order as a basic principle, but will also start by reviving the economy, including boosting domestic demand." He added, "The president will immediately form and directly lead an emergency economic response task force (TF), and we will firmly establish not only short-term emergency measures that can be implemented right away, but also mid- and long-term response strategies."
He mentioned policies such as achieving RE100 and fostering the cultural industry, but placed particular emphasis on revitalizing the stock market. Lee stated, "I will sequentially resolve the four causes of the Korea Discount: unfair trading and stock price manipulation, flawed systems that allow large corporations and major shareholders to abuse power, the lack of industrial economy and corporate policies, and the geopolitical risks of the Korean Peninsula." He added, "If you make money through stock price manipulation, you will have to pay back several times the amount, and if you inflict losses on thousands or tens of thousands of people through stock price manipulation, you will spend tens or hundreds of thousands of times that amount in prison." He further explained, "If this is made clear, who would dare attempt stock price manipulation in a Korea led by Lee Jae Myung? In short, it will be resolved without difficulty."
In closing, Lee appealed for support, saying, "I hope that all of us will overcome the current crisis together and create a true democratic republic, where the people are the sovereign, and all resources and capabilities of the Republic of Korea are used solely for a better life and a brighter future for the people?a genuine democratic republic, a true Korea."
Meanwhile, Lee also held his first campaign event on May 12 at Cheonggye Plaza in Gwanghwamun, symbolizing the meaning of the "Revolution of Light."
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