Lee Nak-yeon: "We Must Learn from Unsafe Yoon as a Negative Example... In-Party Verification Mask Is the Vaccine"

Lee Nak-yeon "(Former) Prime Minister Who Talked Most with the President... A Prepared Leader Needed in Times of Crisis"

Former Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Nak-yeon announced a national balanced development pledge to establish a '4+4 Metropolitan Economic Living Zone' at the office of National Assembly member Lee Jang-seop in Cheongju on the 5th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Lee Nak-yeon, former leader of the Democratic Party and presidential candidate, appealed for support by saying, "We must learn from unsafe opposition candidates as a negative example," and "A safe candidate is the best choice for competitiveness in the general election. I am a safe candidate."

On the 5th, at the Sejong-Chungbuk primary held at the Cheongju CJB Convention Center, Lee emphasized the verification process of the primary, stating, "We must wear the mask of verification. Otherwise, we may face fatal consequences in the general election." The day before, at the Daejeon-Chungnam primary, he also highlighted the importance of verification by saying, "Verification within the party is like a vaccine."

He said, "For the sake of the party, we must wear the mask of verification. The defeat of the party's candidate does not end with the candidate's defeat alone," and criticized, "Many people think Yoon Seok-yeol will not become the presidential candidate. He is an unstable candidate due to significant flaws."

He continued, "I dream of a complete victory. A complete victory means gaining the support of as many citizens as possible," adding, "We must bring in many citizens who are stuck in the middle, unable to go either way. That expansiveness is with me. Above all, I will be a candidate who is not shameful to the children of party members and comrades."

Lee also highlighted the achievements of the Moon Jae-in administration, in which he served as the longest-serving prime minister. He explained, "This year, international organizations officially recognized South Korea as a developed country. The per capita GDP based on purchasing power has surpassed Japan for the past three years," and added, "The honorary grade of independence activist Yu Gwan-sun was posthumously upgraded to first class. We also discovered numerous female and militia independence activists."

He emphasized, "I have received presidential training. As prime minister, I had the most conversations with the president," and said, "We discussed almost all state affairs. In times of crisis, a prepared leader is needed. Because I am prepared, I can do it."

He added, "Among the primary candidates, some criticize me by belittling the achievements of the Moon Jae-in government. I ask that you refrain from such actions," and stated, "We must inherit the philosophy of the Moon Jae-in administration, fill in the gaps, and correct the mistakes. Such inheritance and development should be our path."

Lee said, "South Korea must now rise beyond the G8 to become part of the G5. Domestically, numerous tasks must be solved without trial and error," and expressed confidence, saying, "I am the best person to do that. Because I am prepared, I can do it well."

Regarding pledges for the Chungcheong region, he said, "I will complete four capitals in Chungcheong: the administrative capital Sejong, the bio capital Chungbuk, the science capital Daejeon, and the marine new industry capital Chungnam," and added, "We will create a national garden somewhere in the Geum River basin so that future generations can enjoy it."

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