"Lee Jae-myung, who claimed to be a 'Christian believer'... Purchased 'ceremonial items' with personal funds?"

Mr. A, "I will take photos after receiving memorial items," confirmed with Bae Sohyun
Lee Jae-myung, "My late mother was a deaconess, and my wife is a devout believer"
Democratic Party's campaign committee, "It is true that we asked to prepare memorial items, but they were purchased with personal funds"

Telegram conversation contents between informant Mr. A and Gyeonggi Provincial Government Grade 5 official Mr. Bae [JTBC screen capture]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Questions have arisen regarding the authenticity of Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung's claim of being a "Christian," after allegations surfaced that his spouse, Kim Hye-kyung, had Gyeonggi Province public officials purchase 'jesa food' (ancestral ritual food) on her behalf.

In Korea, Christians typically do not prepare food to perform jesa or charye (ancestral rites). Traditionally, Confucianism regards jesa as an act of filial piety, but Christianity prohibits jesa as idol worship.

Shin Kwang-soo, Secretary General of the World Korean Christian Federation, told this publication in an interview, "Christians place bouquets in front of memorial photos and hold memorial services with family gathered around," adding, "They do not prepare meat or food to perform jesa."

He further explained, "The food is meant for themselves to eat, not to be arranged as a jesa table."

Therefore, if candidate Lee publicly declared himself a "Christian," it is logically difficult to consider the food purchased by person A as 'jesa food.'

Conversely, if it is indeed 'jesa food,' then candidate Lee would be denying his status as a "Christian" and would not be a Christian. A clear explanation from the candidate regarding the purpose and use of the food purchase is required.

In a Telegram message sent by person A, who was a Gyeonggi Provincial Government employee in March last year, to Bae So-hyun of the General Affairs Department, it was stated, "I received jesa items from the fruit store and will take photos."

The Telegram included photos of pears, apples, dried pollack, and other items. Bae instructed person A to deliver the items to candidate Lee's residence in Sunae-dong, Seongnam City.

According to person A's claim, the day the jesa food was received was the lunar anniversary of candidate Lee's mother's death. It is also known that candidate Lee's side had errands run not only during holidays but also on regular family event days.

On the day person A purchased the fruit, the Gyeonggi Province's business promotion expenses record shows a payment of 430,000 won under the name of "visitor hospitality supplies."

Gyeonggi Province reportedly explained, "We confirmed the expenses were used as intended," but added, "We do not know specifically what was purchased."

The Democratic Party's campaign headquarters stated, "The fruit and jesa food purchased with business promotion expenses by the secretariat are unrelated," and "The jesa food was bought with the candidate's personal funds, paid in cash, so there is no receipt."

Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung and his wife Kim Hye-kyung are attending a prayer service at Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul on the morning of December 19 last year. [Democratic Party]

Meanwhile, candidate Lee has previously identified himself as a "Christian" and attends church services whenever he visits local areas during the election campaign.

On the morning of the 6th, candidate Lee attended the first Sunday service at Jejaro Church in Jwacheon-dong, Busan. On the 2nd of last month, he attended Sunday service at Sae Eden Church in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, together with Kim Hye-kyung.

He has also attended services at Yoido Full Gospel Church and was involved in controversy regarding his status as a member of Bundang Woori Church.

On December 2nd last year, at the "National Breakfast Prayer Meeting of the Republic of Korea," he said, "My mother, who passed away last year, was a deaconess, and my wife has been a devout church member playing the organ since childhood, so I have been faithfully serving the Lord at Bundang Woori Church," adding, "By the Lord's gracious guidance, I have come this far."

In response, Pastor Lee Chan-soo of Bundang Woori Church officially confirmed on the church's website, "The church regularly manages the number of registered and actual congregants without discrepancies," and stated, "Candidate Lee Jae-myung was registered with our church but is currently removed from the membership."

At that time, the Democratic Party campaign headquarters explained the church membership removal controversy by saying, "Candidate Lee attended services irregularly, and it seems the church was unaware of this."

The campaign headquarters also stated, "He registered at Bundang Woori Church in 2005 and has faithfully practiced his faith, but after being elected mayor of Seongnam in 2010, he was unable to attend small group meetings such as the Darakbang group due to administrative duties," adding, "Since Bundang Woori Church has multiple worship locations and does not check attendance individually, the church likely did not know about the candidate's church activities."

Therefore, voters are keenly interested in what explanation candidate Lee will provide regarding the jesa items delivered to his residence by person A under Bae's instructions.

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