Lee Jae-myung Visits Hometown Andong, Embraces Park Chung-hee, Saying "We Must Inherit and Nurture What Was Done Well"

'Tough Terrain' TK Targeted Aggressively
"Jeon Du-hwan Has Merits, Lee Seung-man's Land Reform Also Recognized"
Urges People Power Party to "Immediately Implement 100 Trillion Won"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Chilgok·Gumi·Andong=Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, toured Chilgok and Gumi in Gyeongbuk and his hometown Andong on the 11th to solidify support in Gyeongbuk. Lee visited Kumoh National Institute of Technology, founded by former President Park Chung-hee, a symbolic figure of Daegu·Gyeongbuk (TK), and emphasized in his speech the need to acknowledge Park’s achievements. This is interpreted as a strong move to actively target TK, a conservative stronghold and a ‘difficult terrain’ for the Democratic Party.

During his visit to the Dabudong War Memorial in Gasan-myeon, Chilgok, in the morning, Lee gave an impromptu speech saying, “All politicians have both merits and demerits. Chun Doo-hwan also has both merits and demerits.” He evaluated, “Overall, Chun Doo-hwan effectively utilized the ‘three lows boom’ to prevent economic collapse and to keep the economy functioning properly.” However, he added, “But the act of harming citizens’ lives with the guns entrusted by the people is a serious crime that cannot be forgiven for any reason.”

He continued, “Evaluations of former President Syngman Rhee are also divided. The one thing to praise is the land reform.” He said, “At that time, the most powerful means of production in Korea was farmland, and it was given to those who actually farmed it, which led to rapid economic growth. In that respect, there is a part worth acknowledging.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee then held a meeting with students at Kumoh National Institute of Technology, founded by former President Park. At the meeting, Lee said, “The Gumi Electronics Industrial Complex was also created by former President Park. In the past, the TK economy was vibrant and was one of the pillars of economic growth.” He criticized, “Now, as things move toward the metropolitan area, it seems to be losing vitality. The metropolitan-centered single-pole economy has exposed its limits and is blocking national growth.”

In the afternoon, he visited Jungang Market in his hometown Andong. Citizens and merchants cheered, chanting Lee’s name as he returned to his hometown. Lee gave an impromptu speech standing on a makeshift ladder at the market. He said, “There is a clear fault of human rights violations, destruction of democracy, and illegal politics, but there is also a person who contributed to making Korea an economic powerhouse through industrialization. That person is Park Chung-hee.” He emphasized, “We should not be divided into camps where one side is always wrong and the other side is always right.” He added, “We should acknowledge the good parts, point out the wrong parts so that such things never happen again, and inherit and further develop the good parts.”

However, he made his position clear regarding former President Park Geun-hye, who is currently imprisoned. After a support declaration meeting for local lawmakers in Gyeongbuk at Andong MBC, Lee told reporters, “What do you think about pardoning former President Park?” and answered, “It is not appropriate to evaluate merits and demerits for someone currently undergoing judicial judgment and serving a sentence.” He explained, “A pardon is ultimately an exercise of presidential authority and requires public consensus. Without any acknowledgment or apology for her mistakes, I think it is premature.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After actively courting conservative votes by ‘embracing Park Chung-hee,’ Lee also directly criticized his opponent, Yoon Seok-youl of the People Power Party. In his market speech, Lee said, “Yoon said he would actively support 50 trillion won, but then said he would do it if elected next year.” He added, “Isn’t that saying he will do it if elected next year and won’t if not? This is a good opportunity to confirm whether it’s just empty talk.” Citizens responded, “Do it after everyone’s dead!”

He then urged the People Power Party to actively support the ‘100 trillion won support’ proposed by Kim Jong-in, the party’s general election committee chairman. Lee said, “The opposition party proposed 100 trillion won in support, so they can no longer accuse us of populism or handouts.” He continued, “So let’s convene a special session, agree on the supplementary budget, and request the government to create a 100 trillion won support plan. Wouldn’t they agree?”

He emphasized, “The Democratic Party will accept the 100 trillion won proposal. Don’t back down; acknowledge it as your achievement and do it now.” He added, “If you don’t agree, you prove that you are habitual offenders of deceiving the people’s sovereignty.”

Lee’s spouse, Kim Hye-kyung, accompanied him during the market speech. Citizens welcomed Lee’s visit to his hometown by chanting slogans such as “Lee Jae-myung is the one” and “Lee Jae-myung will win.”

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