Lee Jae-myung on Restaurant Quota System Controversy: "I Will Distinguish Between Pledges and Ideas"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, attended a meeting for the development of the stock market and protection of individual investors held at the Korea Exchange in Yeouido, Seoul on the 4th. Before entering the meeting room, he posed in front of the bull statue symbolizing a booming stock market. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, mentioned on the 4th that he will "distinguish between pledges, policies, and ideas" regarding his controversial remarks such as the 'restaurant quota system.'

Candidate Lee wrote on social media (SNS) on the same day, "I hope there will be no criticism that distorts what I mentioned as ideas into pledges."

He said, "The restaurant quota system was an idea I introduced after meeting small business owners who are suffering more due to COVID-19," adding, "In fact, most of the remarks I made at that time were to empathize with their difficulties."

He continued, "However, conservative media omitted this context and reported as if I had stated it as a pledge. Even the candidates from the People Power Party took this opportunity to bring up accusations of 'unconstitutional ideas' and political color attacks," and said, "Pledges and policies are clearly different, and ideas are another matter, so it is hard to understand reporting that assumes ideas as pledges."

Additionally, he said, "Even if it is not necessarily a pledge, if I think it can improve the lives of the people, I will freely express my opinions and also ask for the people's thoughts," and added, "I will not avoid healthy social debates out of concern for political losses."

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