"I Will Do My Utmost to Restore the Lives of the People"
Stabilizing the Korean Peninsula and Minimizing Korea Risk
Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate who is virtually confirmed as the winner, emphasized national unity. In his acceptance speech, Lee presented his vision for restoring livelihoods, building a safe nation, and achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula. He stated, "I will never forget, not even for a moment, the mission you have entrusted to me, and I will fulfill it without the slightest deviation or hesitation."
On June 4, at a time when his victory was all but certain, Lee stayed at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido after being at his home, and then met with citizens. Addressing his supporters, Lee introduced himself as "Lee Jae Myung, who has not yet been officially confirmed as the winner, but has a very high chance of being elected as the 21st president of the Republic of Korea."
Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate who is expected to be elected as the 21st president, raised both arms to greet citizens while attending the national vote counting broadcast event hosted by the party near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News
He expressed his determination to align presidential power with the pursuit of public goals. Lee said, "All the power exercised by the president comes from the people, and I have sought to prove that this power must be used solely for a better life for the people and a brighter future for this country, not for the president's private interests." He added, "Now, six months later, you have dismissed them and proven through your votes and the exercise of your sovereignty that we ourselves are the true owners of this country."
Lee identified overcoming internal strife, restoring livelihoods, building a safe nation, achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula, and national unity as missions that must be fulfilled.
He said, "The first mission is to decisively overcome internal strife and ensure that there will never again be a military coup in which the guns entrusted to the military by the people are used to threaten the people." He continued, "I will create a world where citizens are respected as sovereigns, and where we live together not with hatred and animosity, but with recognition and cooperation."
As his second mission, he stated, "It is to revive the economy and restore livelihoods." He pledged, "From the very moment my victory is confirmed, I will do everything in my power to restore your difficult lives as quickly and as surely as possible."
The Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung, who is expected to be elected as the 21st president, and his wife Kim Hye Kyung attended the national vote counting broadcast event hosted by the party near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 4th. After receiving a bouquet from Park Chan Dae, the standing general election committee chairman, and Jung Eun Kyung, the general election committee chairperson, they raised both arms to greet the citizens. [Joint Coverage] Yonhap News Agency
He also declared, "I will make sure to build a safe nation that perfectly fulfills the state's primary responsibility of protecting the lives and safety of its citizens."
Lee also outlined his vision for peace on the Korean Peninsula. He stated, "I will create a peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula where coexistence is possible." He added, "It is better to win without fighting than to win by fighting, and even better than that is to prosper together without fighting at all. With this conviction, I will pursue dialogue, communication, and cooperation between North and South Korea, seeking a path to coexistence and joint prosperity." He further stated, "I will do my utmost to stabilize the situation on the Korean Peninsula as quickly as possible, minimize the Korea risk, and ensure that the livelihoods of our people do not deteriorate further because of security issues on the peninsula."
Finally, he emphasized unity. Through a message of unity that occupied the largest part of his acceptance speech, he stressed the restoration of community. Lee said, "The people of the Republic of Korea are colleagues who must respect each other and live together within this community." He continued, "I will build a true community where we move beyond hatred and confrontation, and live together in happiness through respect, coexistence, and cooperation." He added, "The people are the owners of this country, and politicians are merely workers who are responsible for the lives of the people. Even if it is inevitable for the workers to be divided and to fight, there is no need for the people of Korea to be divided, to hate, or to harbor animosity." Lee concluded, "Even if our positions differ, our thoughts differ, or we wear different colors for a time, we are now all equally great citizens of a great Republic of Korea. Let us go forward together."
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