Lee Jae-myung: "Is it wrong that 586 exercised... 'Assassin nomination' is absurd language"

Lee's First Private Meeting Since 'Attack Incident' Return
Denies 'Assassin Nomination'... "More Pro-Myeong Faction Members Fell"
"Is It 586's Fault? If Clean, It Means Doing Nothing"
Won Hee-ryong on Running in Gyeyang-eul: "Why Follow Me?"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, set the goal of becoming the 'largest party in the National Assembly' in the upcoming general election. Regarding the controversy over 'assassin nominations' by pro-Lee faction members, he drew a line, calling it "absurd."

On the afternoon of the 18th, at a closed-door meeting held at the National Assembly, Lee emphasized the importance of the upcoming election when asked about the 'criteria for victory in the general election,' saying, "First of all, the largest party in the National Assembly, 151 seats." He said, "Our goal is desperately to achieve 51%, whether you are on my side or your side is a secondary issue," adding, "In a battlefield, is it important whether you eat bread and I eat rice? Winning is what matters."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is having a tea meeting with reporters who were at the scene of the attack in Gadeokdo, Busan, on the 18th at the party leader's office in the National Assembly.
[Photo by Democratic Party of Korea]

Regarding the consecutive defections of former leader Lee Nak-yeon and lawmakers Lee Won-wook, Kim Jong-min, and Cho Eung-cheon, Lee said, "It is not appropriate for me to evaluate those people," but added, "I think many of the things the political world is trying to do now are not right when viewed from the perspective of Yeouido's interests and the eyes of the public."

He continued, "Innovation and integration are at opposite ends, so finding a balance is important," and said, "The general election is the most conflict-ridden, so it is impossible to keep it quiet." He added, "Fortunately, our party has very detailed regulations related to nominations, even special party rules have been created, so we just need to follow them."

Regarding the controversy over 'assassin nominations' by pro-Lee faction members, Lee called it "absurd" and questioned, "Have nominations even been made yet?" He added, "It is about fair competition, so I don't understand why it is called assassin nominations," and rebutted, "Isn't it true that those close to the so-called pro-Lee faction have been eliminated more?"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is having a tea meeting with reporters who were at the scene of the attack in Gadeokdo, Busan, on the 18th at the party leader's office in the National Assembly.
[Photo by Democratic Party of Korea]

On the so-called '586 (people in their 50s, who were university students in the 1980s, born in the 1960s)' retirement theory, he expressed a negative view, saying, "I am also 586, but is it wrong to have been an activist? Is there a reason to cut them off?" and "Isn't the definition of that even undecided?" When asked about recommendations for new recruits, mentioning 'people without moral flaws,' he dismissed it by saying, "If they are clean, it means they have done nothing." He nodded when 'old boys' were mentioned.

He also hinted at plans to run for re-election in Incheon Gyeyang-eul. When asked whether he would run again in his current constituency, Incheon Gyeyang-eul, in the April 10 general election, he replied, "A local assembly member runs in their own constituency, where else would they go?" and added, "Please consider it according to the usual standards and procedures." Regarding former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong's statement that he would run following Lee if Lee changed his constituency, Lee said, "Why would he follow me? I don't understand."

When asked to evaluate Han Dong-hoon, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, Lee refrained from commenting, saying, "I do not want to evaluate that person."

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