Song "Heuksujeo Lee Jae-myung, Solving This Era's Injustice" vs Lee "The Era to Be Moved by Gaegyeon-yong Is Over"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, evaluated Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, as "a candidate born with a dirt spoon who can solve the unfairness issues of this era." On the other hand, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, pointed out, "The era when people were moved by just the story of a dragon rising from a small stream is over," adding, "His difficult childhood, the process of leapfrogging, and his drive resemble Lee Myung-bak."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 9th, the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties appeared on MBC's 100-Minute Debate and evaluated their respective presidential candidates, making these remarks about candidate Lee.

Leader Song said, "The reason the Democratic Party chose candidate Lee is because he has shown the ability and will to take action." He added, "Candidate Lee was born with a dirt spoon, unable to attend middle and high school, worked in a factory where his left arm was crushed by a press machine. Later, he studied at night through the qualification exam and entered university, passing the bar exam, but unlike others, he did not pursue a career as a judge or prosecutor and instead worked as a human rights lawyer." He continued, "As mayor of Seongnam, he repaid over 700 billion won in debt and made Gyeonggi Province the most exemplary city, including initiatives like the youth allowance."

He further stated, "Leading Gyeonggi Province, the largest local government with about 14 million people, he cleaned up valleys and returned them to the residents. During the COVID-19 Shincheonji issue, he exercised his authority as governor to secure the Shincheonji member list." He said, "This kind of practical ability shows that Lee Jae-myung acts and can get things done." He added, "He will solve the unfairness and growth issues of this era," and expressed confidence, saying, "Although he has flaws and shortcomings, he is changing the lives of ordinary people, and hope is gathering that things will change if Lee Jae-myung is elected."

However, Leader Lee said, "It is a powerful story, but the era when people were moved by just the story of a dragon rising from a small stream is over." He pointed out, "His difficult childhood, the leapfrogging process as a dragon from a small stream, holding a position as a metropolitan government head, and his drive resemble someone." He added, "Among former presidents, one whom the Democratic Party greatly respects, Lee Myung-bak, is similar to him."

Leader Lee emphasized, "What matters in discourse is what point you present." He noted, "Looking at the spirit of the times, there were past discourses on industrialization and democratization, and the 2030 generation is collectively thinking about the third discourse." He continued, "We need to find words like fairness and justice, but (under the Moon Jae-in administration) the fairness and justice spoken of seem to try to change social systems a lot." He stressed, "I believe stronger fairness means how to distribute limited social resources, and this will activate the younger generation."

He then looked ahead to his party’s candidate Yoon Seok-youl, saying, "From that perspective, candidate Yoon has a fairly economically liberal viewpoint and a favorable stance on competition, so I think he will speak along those lines going forward."

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