Lee Jae-myung "Will Form a National Cabinet and Unified Government... All Negativity Will Also Stop" (Comprehensive)

"The Youngest Cabinet in History... Actively Appointing Ministers in Their 30s and 40s"
"People Evaluate It as the 'Most Unpopular Presidential Election Ever'... Bowing in Apology"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, holds a press conference at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 26th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 26th, "The Lee Jae-myung administration will create a national cabinet and a unified government to overcome the crisis." He also pledged to reform Yeouido politics, which has focused on hatred and division, and to cease all negative attacks against rival candidates.

On the morning of the same day, Lee held a press conference at the party headquarters in Yeouido to announce his political innovation plan. This move is interpreted as a continuation of reform efforts following the declaration of voluntary retirement by his close group, the '7-in Association,' and the announcement by Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil that he will not run in the next general election, with the candidate himself proposing political reform measures including the formation of a unified government.

Lee said, "Regardless of faction or age, if a talent is essential for the people, I will broadly appoint them to form a 'completely new cabinet,'" adding, "I will not hesitate to make repeated visits to recruit talent to overcome the crisis." He continued, "We will form the youngest national cabinet in the history of the Republic of Korea," and emphasized, "The younger generation is the most reliable partner in governance for the Lee Jae-myung administration. We will actively appoint ministers in their 30s and 40s." He also stated, "We will not disappoint the people with revolving-door appointments based on division," and "Lee Jae-myung's national cabinet will undergo a complete transformation from desk-based report leadership to on-site problem-solving leadership."

Regarding the appointment areas for ministers in their 30s and 40s, he said, "Fields such as science and technology, future environment, and energy-related sectors are appropriate for young scientific talents," adding, "Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital sectors will also be included."

Lee criticized the current political sphere, saying, "The reason for politics to exist should be the better life of the people," but "our politics now is trapped in 'Yeouido politics' that uses confrontation, division, hatred, and discrimination to force opponents to submit."

He added, "Entrenched vested-interest politics confined to Yeouido cannot overcome crises. Unstable leadership cannot unify the people," and stated, "I will act according to the people's mandate. I will respond to the people with great change and great innovation." He emphasized, "I, Lee Jae-myung, will innovate first. The Democratic Party will step down first," and "We will achieve political change with a new democracy suitable for the era of great transformation, a new paradigm where the people win."

However, regarding the flow of reform within the party following Leader Song's announcement not to run, Lee said, "Efforts are needed to do the maximum possible and meet the people's expectations," but added, "I cannot directly demand political retirement of specific individuals, so I will continue to seek ways to gather public opinion and proceed accordingly."

When asked by reporters about the vested interests that the political sphere should relinquish, he said, "There are many differences in restrictions on candidacy for local government heads and members of the National Assembly, such as limits on four-term re-election and resignation deadlines," and "One issue discussed within the party is the excessive concentration of weight on delegates in the party leadership election."

Lee acknowledged public concerns about the escalating negative exchanges during the presidential election process, saying, "I understand that many people are worried about the intensified negative disputes," and apologized, "I feel ashamed every time I hear that this is the most disliked presidential election in history. I bow my head and apologize." He pledged, "I, Lee Jae-myung, will stop all negative campaigning from now on," and urged, "I ask the opposition party to join in."

He explained, "Since the president holds the fate of the nation and its people in one hand, qualifications must be verified and disputes are inevitable regarding the exercise of presidential powers," but added, "Negative attacks unrelated to this, aimed at damaging opponents, are not in the people's interest."

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