Lee Kwang-jae: "Lee Jae-myung Should Play a Role in Local Elections... Will Legislate Good Promises"

Lee Kwang-jae, a member of the Democratic Party who declared his presidential candidacy, is attending and speaking at a discussion hosted by the Korea Journalists Association held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 15th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 11th, Lee Kwang-jae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said about presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, "It would be good if he can play a role (in the June local elections)."

On the same day, Lee said on CBS Radio, "I believe there is a national expectation for candidate Lee," expressing this view.

He explained, "In the end, the difference is 270,000 votes (with President-elect Yoon Seok-youl). It is almost like a balance scale, with almost no difference, yet the people have given President-elect Yoon an enormous position as president. (In terms of vote percentage) the ruling and opposition parties are completely equal at the starting line."

He added, "I think (candidate Lee) can play a role until the local elections, take a rest, and then play a role again," but also said, "It is entirely a matter of candidate Lee Jae-myung's personal decision."

Regarding the Democratic Party's reform, Lee emphasized, "There must be a process where policy initiatives are boldly pushed forward while personnel changes are made together," and "There must be a break from the old era and the new era, a break from familiarity, so that ultimately (the Democratic Party) becomes the protagonist of the new era."

Lee said, "Basically, my thought is that 'Yeouido must be blown up,'" and added, "There must be a lot of new blood transfusions to break the old political circle."

He cited Park Ji-hyun, vice chairwoman of the Women's Committee of the election campaign headquarters and former activist of the 'Nth Room Tracking Team Bulkkot,' as an example, saying, "In this election, a huge frame of Park Ji-hyun versus Lee Jun-seok has even emerged. We need to create a system so that these excellent and good resources can definitely play a role in this local election or the next general election."

Regarding policy, Lee said, "I believe the Democratic Party was overwhelming in the policy campaign. Therefore, regarding about 90 'So-hwak-haeng' (small but certain happiness) pledges, making them into legislation, the appeal to the people as a president for the livelihood economy was very high," and added, "It is about delivering on these laws with 180 seats in the National Assembly to firmly give trust to the people."

He continued, "From the small part of So-hwak-haeng to large-scale national tasks, many experts and such people participated in making the policies, so these policies were consistently made and had actual national support, and I think it is important to realize this."

Regarding criticism that some pledges clash with President-elect Yoon's pledges, he said, "The National Assembly and political parties themselves have rarely created future agendas. But this time, the Democratic Party presented very good policies in two major areas: one is the big theme of a president for the livelihood economy, and the other is political reform to change the system," and added, "We must make policies into laws, and if that happens, I believe the people will support us."

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