Lee Cheol-hee: "I told Yoon, who requested 'election neutrality,' to 'trust me'"

President Moon's Daughter Resides in Official Residence, Understandable Considering 'President Stress'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Lee Cheol-hee, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, who delivered congratulatory flowers to Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, on the 15th, revealed that he conveyed a message to Yoon's camp, which requested 'election neutrality,' saying, "Please trust us even if you are worried." He explained that President Moon Jae-in's daughter living in the Blue House residence is understandable considering the president's work-related stress.

On the morning of the 16th, Lee appeared on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" and said, "President Moon is clearly determined on this matter, so even if you are worried, please trust him."

Lee delivered congratulatory flowers to Yoon the day before, and Yoon requested election neutrality regarding President Moon during a private meeting.

Recently, the People Power Party has raised suspicions that the government is interfering in the election by developing the ruling party's pledges ahead of the election. In this regard, they also filed a complaint with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office against four public officials, including Park Jin-gyu, former Blue House secretary and First Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Regarding the opposition party's emphasis on fair elections, Lee said, "The opposition party can be worried," but added, "However, I hope there is trust in the level of our democracy."

He questioned, "Isn't this a country where the president is impeached if he does something wrong or privatizes power beyond what is given to him?" and asked, "If ministers engage in election interference or unfair acts prohibited by law, can that be tolerated?"

Lee added, "The opposition probably also trusts that President Moon's intention for election neutrality is clear and that he will actually act accordingly."

Regarding People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jeong-jae's suggestion to Blue House Chief of Staff Yoo Young-min that the president should leave the party, Lee said, "(Leaving the party) is a past wrong practice," and stated, "From the perspective of responsible politics and party politics, it is necessary for the president to maintain party affiliation."

When asked about the interpretation that delivering congratulatory flowers to Kim Dong-yeon, a third-party candidate and former Deputy Prime Minister for Economy, might have a special intention, he responded, "That is an over-interpretation," and said, "There is no special criterion; we only delivered to those mentioned by the media as 'leading candidates.'"

Regarding criticism over President Moon's daughter, Da-hye, living in the Blue House residence, he said, "It is excessive," and explained, "The position of president is stressful and difficult, so for the president to work with a calm mind in a bright and pleasant atmosphere, it is fully understandable."

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