Lee Jae-myung's Presidential Campaign Song: "Strong Industrial Economy Restructuring... Must Open the Path to Fair Growth"

Creating Opportunities for Economic Rebound
Implementing Strong Economic Revival Policies

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, who officially declared his candidacy for the presidential election, visited the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 1st. After paying respects at the Student Volunteer Army Unknown Soldier Monument, he responded to questions from the press. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, declared his presidential bid on the 1st, stating, "We must open the path to fair growth through a strong industrial economic restructuring."

In a video declaration titled "A New Republic of Korea! Lee Jae-myung Will Do It!" released on the 1st, Lee diagnosed Korea's crisis as stemming from "unfairness and inequality." He explained that inequality and polarization lead to inefficient resource allocation and weakened competitive efficiency, resulting in low growth. Lee said, "All problems such as low birthrate, aging population, unemployment, conflicts and divisions, private education, and the hell of entrance exams are mainly caused by opportunity poverty due to low growth," adding, "I will immediately start a strong economic revival policy to turn this into an opportunity for economic leap."

As a specific economic policy measure, he mentioned his trademark basic income. Lee stated, "We must introduce basic income to revive the economy and create a society where everyone enjoys at least a minimum level of economic prosperity and can do what they want." He also presented a blueprint including ▲ rationalization of regulations ▲ fostering basic and advanced science and technology through a future-oriented advanced nurturing system ▲ expanding support for culture and arts ▲ establishing a peace economy system on the Korean Peninsula and revitalizing the Northern economy.

After announcing his candidacy in the morning, Lee visited the National Cemetery in Dongjak-dong, Seoul, as his first schedule and wrote in the guestbook, "I will carry on the will of the patriots and turn the crisis of transition into an opportunity for leap." Accompanying him were Jo Jung-sik, a member of the Democratic Party in charge of the campaign, along with lawmakers Park Hong-geun, Park Chan-dae, and Kim Nam-guk.

He then attended the Democratic Party's pledge ceremony for fair elections and press day at the Glad Hotel in Seoul, where all nine Democratic Party preliminary candidates were present. In the afternoon, he traveled to his hometown, Andong in Gyeongbuk Province, visiting Yurim Seowon Confucian Academy, the birthplace of poet Lee Yuk-sa, and his late father's grave. On the 2nd, after holding a non-face-to-face press conference, he will visit Gwangju in Jeonnam Province. This move is interpreted as an effort to solidify his image as a candidate supported by both the Yeongnam and Honam regions. On the same day, lawmaker Kim Du-kwan also declared his presidential bid, meaning that among the nine ruling party presidential candidates, all except former leader Lee Nak-yeon (scheduled for the 5th) have officially entered the race.

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