Lee Jae-myung's Camp: "We Accept the Primary Postponement, but the Final Candidate Must Be Announced Before the National Assembly Audit, Where Intense Opposition Attacks Are Expected"

Following the Primary Postponement
Must Elect Before October National Audit
Chemical Bonding After Main Primary
Minimizing Aftereffects

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province and a candidate in the presidential primary, stated that while his camp will abide by the party leadership’s decision regarding the postponement of the primary due to the fourth wave of COVID-19, the final candidate must be selected before the October National Assembly audit, where opposition party attacks are expected.

Jo Jung-sik, a lawmaker overseeing Lee Jae-myung’s campaign, said at a press conference on the 15th, “From the candidate and campaign perspective, considering the COVID-19 prevention situation, we have conveyed that we will follow the party’s decision if the primary schedule is postponed.” However, Jo emphasized, “Since this regular National Assembly session is the last under the Moon Jae-in administration, a large-scale opposition attack is expected at the early October audit,” and stressed that the final candidate should be selected before then to form a united team.

Jo stated, “Even if the schedule is postponed considering the prevention situation, it is right to complete the candidate selection before the audit begins and for the party and candidate to unite as one team to prepare for the entire schedule afterward.” He added, “Above all, the primary must be a united team contest without wounds between candidates. If excessive negative campaigning or slander continues during the main primary, a firm response from the campaign will be inevitable.”

Regarding concerns that the main primary might turn negative and cause aftereffects, he responded that the “one team spirit” will minimize pain and that the campaign will be completely disbanded once the primary ends.

Jo said, “Once the main election begins, a new election committee centered on the party will be formed to conduct the election. I intend not to hold any vested interests within that.” He particularly noted, “I have experienced pain in healing conflicts and aftereffects after previous primaries, so this time we will minimize conflicts and aftereffects during the primary,” and added, “The open campaign will also be disbanded after the primary.”

He refuted accusations of discrimination against Honam, which arose following remarks about ‘reverse discrimination against Daegu and Gyeongbuk,’ calling it a “typical divide-and-conquer” strategy.

Jo said, “Looking at the path Lee has taken, his values, and party activities, he can be considered the legitimate heir of the Democratic Party.” He emphasized, “There are many voluntary groups supporting Lee even in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, regions where the Democratic Party is weak. This proves that he is the most suitable candidate to carry on the Democratic Party’s line, values, and philosophy that have continued through Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in.”

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