Lee Jae-myung, on Lee Nak-yeon's concession congratulations: "I will firmly hold the hand you extended and go together"

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, who was elected as the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is shaking hands with candidate Lee Nak-yeon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, expressed his gratitude for the 'acceptance of the primary election results' and congratulations from candidate Lee Nak-yeon, who had been engaged in a fair competition, saying, "I am truly thankful" and promised, "I will firmly hold the hand you extended and move forward together."

On the 13th, Lee said on Facebook, "I deeply appreciate the honorable candidate Lee Nak-yeon's decision made for the greater good," adding, "Candidate Lee Nak-yeon is our party's pride, having devoted himself to the development of the Democratic Party and the Republic of Korea."

He continued, "We all remember candidate Lee Nak-yeon, the first Prime Minister of the Moon Jae-in administration who made the hearts of the people beat faster," and praised him highly, saying, "His tireless efforts to respond to the 2019 wildfires in Gangwon Province gave many citizens the belief that 'the country has become a proper nation,' laying the foundation for the success of the Moon Jae-in government."

Furthermore, quoting candidate Lee Nak-yeon's words, "When you look at a mountain from afar, you cannot see the paths inside the mountain. But when you go to the mountain, there is always a path. If you walk that path quietly, you reach the ridge, and if you walk further, you reach the summit," he expressed his expectations, saying, "I believe that based on his outstanding experience and capabilities, he will continue to play a significant role in the future of our party and country."

Lee especially said, "From being competitors at a slight distance, we have now become comrades who firmly hold hands and climb the mountain together," promising, "I will find the path with candidate Lee Nak-yeon, cross the ridge, and surely reach the summit."

Lee also mentioned the various noises during the primary election process.

He said, "We are comrades, and we must look more at our commonalities than our small differences, supporting each other when times are tough and walking toward the same place," adding, "I know many people were hurt emotionally due to various incidents during the primary process, but it is more important that we are still comrades."

He also urged unity, saying, "Those who supported candidate Lee Nak-yeon and those who supported other candidates are all proud comrades of the Democratic Party," and "Now we stand at the starting point, with a long way to go. There is no room for us to quarrel over small differences, nor should there be."

Earlier, candidate Lee Nak-yeon stated in his 'Letter to the Beloved Democratic Party' on the same day, "The issue of handling votes for withdrawn presidential candidates left a task, but I respect the decision of the party's executive committee," and "I accept the results of the presidential primary election."

He further said, "I congratulate candidate Lee Jae-myung on his victory in the primary," adding, "I believe that he will do his best for party unity and victory in the presidential election."

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