Lee Jae-myung Visits Andong: "Despite Ups and Downs, Family Comes First"

"Conflict from Not Valuing What Is Close"
Humming 'Gyeongbuk Residents' Song' During Broadcast

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited his hometown Andong, Gyeongbuk, on Chuseok day, the 10th. On the way to Andong for ancestral rites, he conducted a 'surprise live' broadcast on YouTube. This visit to the TK (Daegu·Gyeongbuk) region is his second since being elected party leader at the party convention on the 28th of last month.

In the live broadcast, Lee said, "Is everyone having a good Chuseok? I am also going to celebrate Chuseok," adding, "No matter the ups and downs, family is the best. Conflicts arise because people do not value being close to each other, but when you are apart, you realize how precious it is."

Without any special format, Lee freely shared stories from his childhood and about his hometown. Climbing Cheongnyangsan in Bonghwa for the ancestral rites, he showed his grandparents' graves through the broadcast. He said, "Isn't the scenery here really beautiful? When I was young, I couldn't come often, but after my father passed away and was buried here, I have come frequently since then," adding, "Every time I see it, I think it's truly wonderful."

Lee hummed two songs during the broadcast. While looking at the Nakdong River, he sang the 'Song of Gyeongbuk Residents,' which he passionately performed during the last presidential election when visiting the Daegu area. At the site of his childhood home, he recalled, "I remember my father farming. I still remember the song he hummed," and sang a verse from Na Hoon-a's 'Gajimao.' He also shared anecdotes from his impoverished childhood, saying, "There is a path I used to walk, about 6 km long," and "When I was hungry and tired, I ate anything I could find on the road."

Meanwhile, Lee, who visited his hometown on the day of the holiday, is known to be taking a rest and having personal schedules on the 11th.

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