[Comprehensive] "Almost Won the Election" LDP's Closer Lee Hae-chan... Will His Remarks Be Effective?

Pro-Government Broadcaster Says "Likely to Win Election"
"Oh Se-hoon MB Kids, Ahn Cheol-soo Peeking into Other Party" Criticizes Opposition Candidates
Interpreted as Move to Rally Ruling Party Supporters Under Pressure
Kim Kyung-hyup: "Former Leader Lee Hae-chan Has Experience and Insight"
Kim Ki-hyun: "Party Leader Directly Responsible for By-Election"

Former Leader of the Democratic Party Lee Hae-chan / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] With the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election just about two weeks away, former Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan is becoming increasingly active. He has appeared on several pro-government YouTube broadcasts to encourage the consolidation of the support base and even expressed confidence by suggesting that "it seems we have almost won the election." However, political reactions to Lee's remarks have been mixed. Some predict that Lee will help secure the ruling party's voter base, while others argue that his comments could instead provoke a "backlash."

On the 19th, Lee appeared on the YouTube show "Kim Eo-jun's Das Boida," hosted by broadcaster Kim Eo-jun, where he mentioned the land speculation allegations involving People Power Party Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon’s property in Naegok-dong, stating, "I thought the election would be very difficult, but seeing how things are going lately, it seems (the Democratic Party) has almost won."

He also referred to the recent Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) scandal, saying, "We made mistakes in management, but what candidate Oh Se-hoon did is on a different level because it was his own doing," adding, "I don't think there's any need to be discouraged because of this."

Earlier, Lee appeared on another pro-government YouTube broadcast and launched sharp criticisms at opposition Seoul mayoral candidates. On the 17th, during a live broadcast hosted by 'Gaegukbon TV' and 'Sisa Tapa TV,' Lee criticized Oh by calling him an "MB (former President Lee Myung-bak) kid," saying, "If MB is a conglomerate, Oh is a retailer, but their mindsets are the same."

Regarding People's Party candidate Ahn Cheol-soo, he remarked, "He keeps hovering around other parties," and added, "A living flower with roots has vitality, but an artificial flower without roots has no fragrance," taking a jab at him.

Former Representative Lee Hae-chan (center), who appeared on a YouTube broadcast on the 17th. / Photo by YouTube Broadcast Capture

With the Seoul mayoral by-election about two weeks away, there is a view that former candidate Lee has stepped in as the ruling party’s "relief pitcher" amid a defensive stance.

Democratic Party candidate Park Young-sun has recently shown lower support compared to opposition candidates in opinion polls. In a poll conducted by Realmeter on behalf of JTBC from March 20 to 21 among 1,007 Seoul residents, candidate Oh received 35.5%, Ahn 31.2%, while Park trailed at 28.0%, showing a lagging position.

Given this situation, some interpret Lee’s confident remarks about the ruling party’s victory as an attempt to rally the party’s support base.

In fact, Lee emphasized his active role in this by-election during the 'Das Boida' interview. He said, "The opposition’s goal in this election is to shake the Moon Jae-in administration," and added, "We must protect the Moon Jae-in administration. If it wavers here, the country will waver."

When host Kim asked if he would appear on other broadcasts to make statements, Lee responded, "I have made up my mind," and expressed his determination by saying, "I will go wherever I can hold a microphone."

Park Young-sun, Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor / Photo by Yonhap News

However, political reactions to Lee’s recent actions have been divided.

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Kyung-hyup said in an interview with CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" on the 22nd, "It seems there are accumulated allegations about opposition candidates that Lee is ready to expose," explaining, "Lee’s remarks mean that opposition candidates like Oh and People Power Party Busan mayoral candidate Park Hyung-joon are full of allegations, so he is confident about this election."

He continued, "Lee has long political experience, wisdom, and insight. He has won all seven elections he has contested," emphasizing, "Since 2016, he has written a historic record of Democratic Party victories and has an accurate sense that predicted the last general election results."

On the other hand, some argue that Lee’s remarks could provoke resentment among voters.

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun pointed out in a radio interview that day, "Lee was the party leader when former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon was forced to resign due to sexual misconduct allegations," adding, "He was the party leader directly responsible, and even at Park’s funeral, he hurled insults at reporters and led the way in referring to the victim complainants."

He further criticized, "In this election held because of the sexual misconduct of former Mayor Park, who the victims painfully lament, it is really laughable that someone who should be apologizing to the public says 'sorry' is not enough but instead speaks loudly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.