Sim Sang-jung to Lee Jae-myung: "Unify under me to win the presidential election"

"Citizens Need a Change of Mindset... Look at European Minor Parties"

Sim Sang-jung is speaking after the announcement of the results at the 'Justice Party Presidential Candidate Selection Result Announcement and Reporting Meeting' held at the National Assembly on the 12th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Shim Sang-jung, a lawmaker elected as the Justice Party's presidential candidate, proposed unification to Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province.

On the 13th, Shim said on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "This presidential election can only be won through unification under Shim Sang-jung," adding, "Now citizens need to make a paradigm shift."

He pointed out, "So far, among the two major parties, the choice of the lesser evil has always been forced, and that choice has led to politics of the lesser evil, keeping our society stuck in the past."

He continued, "Look at Europe. Even minority parties can govern through responsible coalition governments and demonstrate better politics," emphasizing, "In this presidential election, electing Shim Sang-jung as president and opening an era of responsible coalition government should be the citizens' strategy."

Regarding the allegations of preferential treatment in the Daejang-dong development project against candidate Lee, he claimed, "The person who played a leading role in drawing the blueprint and granting preferential treatment at the center of the Daejang-dong case is Yoo Dong-gyu, former head of the Development Headquarters of Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, appointed by Lee," adding, "This case is either one of being victimized or collusion."

He also raised his voice, saying, "I understand there are many concerns even within the Democratic Party," and "Candidate Lee, as the final approver of the Daejang-dong project, must sincerely take political responsibility."

Meanwhile, Shim, confirmed as the Justice Party's presidential candidate on the 12th, is making his fourth bid for the presidency. On the same day, the Justice Party held a result announcement and reporting meeting for the party's presidential candidate selection, announcing that Shim was chosen as the party's presidential candidate by winning a majority with 6,044 votes (51.12%) out of a total of 11,993 votes in the runoff against former Justice Party leader Lee Jeong-mi.

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