Kwangjae Lee "In Communication with Former Deputy Prime Minister Dongyeon Kim... Must Break the Huge Established Powers of Industrialization and Democratization"

Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong Also Mentions the Need for a Pardon

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Lee Kwang-jae, a member of the Democratic Party preparing to run for president, revealed that he is "in sync" with former Minister of Strategy and Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Kim Dong-yeon. He also asserted that "the huge vested interests of industrialization and democratization must be broken." He emphasized future-oriented perspectives. He also reiterated the necessity of a pardon for Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong.

On the 20th, Lee appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs' and said, "Only by breaking the huge vested interests of Korea's existing industrialization and democratization can people in their 20s and 30s, the middle class, and ordinary citizens revive," adding, "Although I myself participated in the democratization movement, I wonder if I am also outdated. Every day is truly frightening."

He continued, "While industrialization and democratization had brilliant achievements, digital and green initiatives for the next generation, and nowadays ESG (environmental, social responsibility, governance) in management, which were unimaginable values in the past, are now becoming new standards," and said, "I think it is time to open a future with aspirations toward a new era beyond industrialization and democratization. I feel that the country wants to be the first to meet the world's future and to have first-class citizens, and I am in sync with former Deputy Prime Minister Kim Dong-yeon."

Former Deputy Prime Minister Kim, after last year's general election and ahead of last month's Seoul mayoral by-election, received 'love calls' from both ruling and opposition parties but declined. In January, he stated on Facebook, "I received multiple invitations and requests to run for Seoul mayor from various places and directions. The requests were stronger than during the last general election, so I had a lot to consider," and added, "I will continue to do my best to contribute to social change."

Lee said, "Kim mentioned, 'I am the first Deputy Prime Minister of the Moon Jae-in administration,' and when he spoke to me, he emphasized that trust is important in life." This implies he will not join the conservative opposition party. When asked if Kim might join the Democratic Party or work with Lee Kwang-jae, Lee responded, "That is something to be seen later."

Regarding the controversy over a pardon for Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Lee said, "If he can play a meaningful role in the semiconductor and vaccine sectors, I would like the pardon to be positively considered," adding, "Samsung is a global company. I hope it undergoes fundamental self-innovation and transformation to become a company loved by more citizens."

He added, "Within the Democratic Party, opinions seem quite divided, but when I go outside, ordinary citizens say I spoke courageously about the pardon, even though I might be criticized."

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