Lee Jae-myung Visits Daegu: "We Will Create an Innovative Business City on the Site of the Relocated Daegu Airport"

[Daegu=Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] “If Daegu and Gyeongbuk fall, South Korea falls!”

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Daegu, the "heart of conservatism," on the 10th. Emphasizing that he is from Andong, Gyeongbuk, he appealed for support from Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK). As a regional pledge, he proposed relocating Daegu Airport and creating an innovative enterprise city in its place.

On the afternoon of the same day, Lee walked along Dongseong-ro street in Jung-gu, Daegu, greeting citizens. Afterwards, he gave an impromptu speech on Dongseong-ro street. Climbing a makeshift ladder, he said, “Who would be the presidential candidate to revive the South Korean economy and the Daegu-Gyeongbuk economy and brighten your future?” He added, “I have a proposal. We need to move Daegu Airport, but if we build a lot of apartments on that site, Daegu’s economy will die. We plan to create an innovative enterprise city on the relocated airport site to establish a new industrial base.”

He stated, “If we relocate Dongchon Airport, the site will be supplied at a very low price through massive national support, and we will attract educational infrastructure where talent can grow and support universities.” He continued, “We will also support companies so that they can operate with low taxes. Lee Jae-myung will take responsibility to revive the economy anew.”

Referring to former President Park Chung-hee, a symbolic figure of Daegu, he said, “Of course, responsibility must be taken for suppressing human rights and delaying democracy. However, we must also acknowledge the merits of industrialization,” and raised his voice, “I will create a new growth foundation beyond Park Chung-hee.”

Lee appealed for support by revealing that he is from Andong. He said, “Who would be the presidential candidate who truly loves Daegu and Gyeongbuk, who drank the water of Daegu and Gyeongbuk, and grew up there, and who will represent Daegu and Gyeongbuk?” He added, “Daegu has been neglected for decades. Although we supported conservative governments with all our might, life did not improve and the economy continued to decline. I will break this vicious cycle and create new hope.”

He added, “Each one of you is a drop that makes history. If each person does their best, Daegu and Gyeongbuk will rise, and if Daegu and Gyeongbuk rise, South Korea will rise.”

At the impromptu speech that day, former lawmakers Park Chang-dal, who left the People Power Party and serves as the Daegu campaign headquarters general chairman, Hong Eui-rak, and Kim Dae-jin, chairman of the Daegu city party, were present. A picket protest urging the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act was also held against Lee.

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