Lee Jae-myung: "'Extreme fandom'? 'Gaeddal' level is not that low... Politics is about increasing persuasion and empathy groups"

Meeting 'Gaeddal' "Extreme fandom, we are not such low-level people"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, is attending the party leader candidate broadcast debate held at the CBS building in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul on the 9th, delivering a greeting. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the 25th, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, met with his ardent supporters known as the so-called ‘Gaeddal (Daughters of Reform)’ and said, “They talk about extreme fandoms and such, but we are absolutely not like that. We are not such low-level people.” This is interpreted as a rebuttal to recent concerns and criticisms inside and outside the party regarding Lee's fandom politics.

According to the Democratic Party on the 25th, Lee stated this during a meeting with party members and supporters from the Gyeonggi region held on the afternoon of the 24th at the Jangangu Community Center in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. He said, “Politics is about increasing the number of people who empathize with our support base.” Lee added, “If we use harsh expressions toward those we need to persuade and gain empathy from, they will not empathize and will become enemies. So it is much better not to do such things. Wouldn't it be better to use elegant expressions, bring flowers, and say things like ‘You are doing well’?”

He emphasized, “People may have nine flaws but still have one virtue. If you focus on the virtues, you become a good person, but if you focus on the flaws, life becomes worse. Therefore, we need to be strong in these details. That is true skill.”

He continued, “With that mindset, one detail I have emphasized so far is to press ‘like’ even once on an article,” encouraging supporters by saying, “Some people even get paid to do it. There are rumors that one article is worth 240 won; it seems comment workers really exist. For example, if the rate is 500 won, pressing 10 times earns 5,000 won. Others do it to make a living, but since we are doing it anyway, this is not the only thing to do, but small acts like this combined can make history.”

Lee also said, “I am not a leftist. So I am even embarrassed to call myself progressive. I just want to change this reactionary vested-interest society and abnormal society into a normal and reasonable one, even if just a little. So rather than being progressive, I am practically a conservative who hopes for the restoration of common sense and principles,” he explained.

During a Q&A session with attendees, when a party member said, “I am sorry we could not prepare a systemically strong opposition leader with the chairmanship of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee,” Lee responded, “Regarding the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, honestly, I secretly hoped we would not have to give it up, but it seems political reality does not allow that.”

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