Lee Jae-myung: "Democracy Must Be Restored... We Will Follow the Path the People, Not Sorcerers, Tell Us"

Lee Emphasizes President Yoon's Suitability Amid Continuous Criticism of 'Shamanism Allegations and No-Mask Controversy'
"1938 Days Since Attending the First Candlelight Rally... Achieved an Unprecedented Bloodless Revolution"
"Will Build a Continuously Growing Nation"... Signs Youth-Related Pledge Board

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Ki-min Lee and Young-won Kim] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 17th, "We must restore democracy. I am not a shaman; I will ask the people for the way. I will follow the path the people tell me to take, not the path the shaman tells me to take."

On the same day, Lee attended the 'Back to Gwanghwamun' campaign held at Gwanghwamun Station in Seoul in the afternoon and stated, "The first candlelight protest rally was on Saturday, October 29, 2016. I spoke with you here. It is said that 1,938 days have passed."

This is interpreted as Lee criticizing the former President Park Geun-hye administration's state affairs manipulation allegations and candidate Yoon's shamanism-related suspicions, highlighting that he can perform the presidential duties better.

He said, "We held candlelight vigils to overcome the abnormality of private influence manipulating state affairs and achieved a perfect 'bloodless revolution' unprecedented even worldwide. Isn't that the Republic of Korea?" He added, "So, we have taken one step closer to overcoming those old practices, abnormalities, and anti-democratic elements and becoming a true democratic republic. Isn't that right?"

He emphasized, "The political forces that were driven out by the fragile candlelight held by our citizens at this candlelight square are returning in just five years," and added, "But the situation has become more serious. Mr. Choi may have done some fortune-telling, but it seems he did not perform shamanism. Can state affairs be swayed by shamanism?"

Lee also criticized the so-called 'no mask' people who did not wear masks during candidate Yoon's campaign speech. He said, "If you don't take off your mask, your glasses will fog up, but since we have agreed with the people, we must follow it," and added, "Even if it is uncomfortable, we must follow the agreed rules for the country to function properly. Those who follow small rules also follow big rules." He continued, "This is a matter of a leader's qualifications and character. Leading by example, starting with myself, is important."

During the campaign on the same day, Lee promised, "If you give me a chance, I will create a more competent government, a more evolved and communicative government," and said, "I will minimize the threat of war and create a peaceful Korean Peninsula. I will lead sustainable economic growth and build a country where young people do not fight over gender or region, such as between the capital area and provinces, to repay you."

Immediately after the speech, he signed a pledge board that read, "Youth Opportunity Nation, Lee Jae-myung promises." The youth pledges include ▲ promoting the introduction of a 4.5-day workweek and restricting comprehensive wage agreements ▲ expanding unemployment benefits and sickness benefits for voluntary job changes once in a lifetime ▲ tax exemption on virtual asset income up to 50 million won and carryover deduction for five years ▲ significantly increasing monthly rent tax credits and carryover deduction for five years ▲ allocating 30% of new housing to youth and greatly expanding financial support.

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