Lee Nak-yeon: "Thank you for understanding the inevitable decision on by-election nominations... Repeated apologies to the victims"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed gratitude to party members who understood the necessity of the decision after 86% voted in favor in the party-wide vote for candidate nomination for the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections scheduled for April next year.

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 2nd, Lee said, "We decided to field candidates in the by-elections because we believe respecting voters' right to choose is the responsible stance of a political party."

He added, "The fact that party members' opinions were united does not absolve the Democratic Party of the fault for causing administrative vacancies in Seoul and Busan and triggering the by-elections," and apologized again to the citizens of Seoul and Busan as well as the public.

He continued, "I also sincerely apologize again to the victims," and emphasized, "We understand well that for this apology to be genuine, it must be followed by action. The Democratic Party has newly activated the Ethics Inspection Team and today opened the Ethics Reporting Center and the Gender Violence Reporting Counseling Center to investigate and take follow-up measures regarding sexual misconduct and corruption involving elected officials and key party officers."

He further stated, "We will also strengthen gender-sensitivity education. We will ensure that such wrongdoings never happen again," and said, "The Democratic Party will find morally upright and competent candidates through thorough verification and fair primaries and present them to the voters." Lee added, "We will make sure that citizens can freely choose candidates and find the results rewarding."

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