On the Way to School, Only Lee Cheon-soo's Campaign is Bustling... Won Hee-ryong Says, "I Also Want to Become a 'Chotongryeong'"

Lee Cheon-su Supports Won Hee-ryong's Campaign as Sponsorship Chairman
Won Hee-ryong "Assault and Threats... Absolutely Unacceptable"

In the April 10 general election, former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, running as the People Power Party candidate for Incheon Gyeyang-eul, encountered an awkward situation at an elementary school in his constituency. While campaigning on the way to school with former national soccer player Lee Cheon-soo, all the elementary students flocked only to Lee Cheon-soo. On the 7th, Won posted a photo on his Facebook, writing, "The 'Tangerine Minister' came to Gyulhyeon Elementary School. But everyone is only...^^; I want to become a presidential-level elementary school figure too."

In a photo posted together by former Minister Won Hee-ryong, he is standing with his fingers interlocked in front of the gate of Gyulhyeon Elementary School in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon. Lee Cheon-su, wearing a red scarf and campaigning, is busy signing autographs surrounded by elementary school students.
[Photo by Won Hee-ryong Facebook]

In the photo posted together by former Minister Won, he is standing with his fingers interlocked in front of the gate of Gyulhyeon Elementary School in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon. Lee Cheon-soo, wearing a red scarf and campaigning, is busy signing autographs surrounded by elementary students. Earlier, this photo spread on online communities that day and became a hot topic. Netizens reacted with comments like, "I didn't know Lee Cheon-soo was so popular among elementary students," and "To the kids, Won Hee-ryong is just an uncle." It is reported that this photo was taken around 8:30 a.m. that day while greeting parents in front of the elementary school.

Lee Cheon-soo also assaulted and threatened by Gyeyang-gu residents

Along with the cheerful post, former Minister Won also posted about Lee Cheon-soo recently being assaulted and threatened. On the 8th, Won wrote on Facebook, "On the 7th, while greeting commuters at Gyeyang Station, a man shook hands with Lee Cheon-soo, the head of his support committee, then grabbed his hand and struck his knee with his thigh," adding, "Even after saying 'Please don't,' the man tried to strike again."

Along with a post containing cheerful content, former Minister Won Hee-ryong also posted about Lee Cheon-soo recently being assaulted and threatened. On the 8th, former Minister Won wrote on Facebook, "On the 7th, while greeting commuters at Gyeyang Station, a man extended his hand to shake hands with Lee Cheon-soo, the chairman of the support group, grabbed his hand, and then struck his knee with his thigh," adding, "Even though he said 'Please stop,' the man attempted additional strikes."
[Photo by Won Hee-ryong Facebook]

He continued, "At around 2 p.m. the same day in Imhak-dong, a man holding a drill threatened, saying, 'We'll see. I know where you live, and where your wife and kids live,'" he claimed. Regarding this, former Minister Won said, "This is a clear crime. It is absolutely unacceptable, and I will never tolerate it," adding, "I feel ashamed on behalf of Lee Cheon-soo, who was assaulted and threatened. I will take every possible measure to ensure such incidents never happen again."

Earlier, on February 22, former Minister Won's side announced that Lee Cheon-soo would serve as the head of his support committee to assist him. Lee Cheon-soo spent his school years in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon. He played for Incheon United from 2013 and ended his active career with the same club in 2015. It is said that Lee met former Minister Won when he visited Jeju Girls' High School soccer team, which was on the brink of disbandment due to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's funding cut in 2016, to encourage them. At that time, former Minister Won said, "I am grateful that the connection we made eight years ago has extended to Lee Cheon-soo's hometown," adding, "For decades, Gyeyang has been stagnant and winning elections was taken for granted, but now both the party and this player agree that 'Gyeyang will thrive only if the party changes.'"

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