Lee Jae-myung: "All Situations at Icheon Fire Site Checked... Do Not Distort Public Safety Issues"

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, the leading presidential candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, addressed criticisms regarding his recording of a 'tteokbokki mukbang' with Hwang Kyo-ik during the Icheon fire in June, saying, "I hope people do not distort or overly problematize issues related to public safety."

On the 20th, after attending the inauguration ceremony of the Democratic Party presidential primary candidates' metaverse camp at the Yeouido camp in Seoul, Lee told reporters, "There was a disaster response chief on site, and I also dispatched the vice governor and was checking the situation on site." He added, "I gave up my schedule in Gyeongnam late that night and arrived early in the morning to fully attend to the situation on site, so I believe I did my best with what I could do."

Earlier, a media outlet reported that on the afternoon of June 17, when the Coupang logistics center fire occurred, Lee recorded a broadcast for a YouTube channel with Hwang Kyo-ik, former candidate for president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, around the streets and restaurants in Changdong, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon.

When asked about allegations of favoritism in personnel appointments at the Gyeonggi Job Foundation reported by JTBC the previous day, Lee responded, "Are you from JTBC (reporter)?" and said, "As reported, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission has already concluded that there is no problem, so I don't quite understand why this is being raised as an issue in that way."

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