Lee Jae-myung's "Lowly Family" Remark... Opposition's Fierce Criticism as "Outdated Emotional Appeal"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited the public market in Gunsan, Jeonbuk on the 4th and appealed for support from the citizens.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 5th, the opposition party criticized Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, for referring to his family background as a "lowly family" during his explanation of his family history, calling it a "pathetic emotional appeal." In response, the ruling party pointed out, "We feel dismayed by the act of maliciously retaliating against the candidate's sincere confession."

Earlier, on the 4th, Lee visited the public market in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, and brought up his family background, saying, "My origin is lowly. Because I come from a lowly family, if you dig around, you'll find a lot of dirty things."

He continued, "My lowly origin is not my fault, so please do not blame me," and appealed, "I did my best even in that environment. I will continue to do so." This appears to be a direct response to controversies related to family issues, such as the scandal involving his sister-in-law's abusive language and the defense in his nephew's murder case.

The opposition party called it a "statement that insults the people" and demanded an apology. Lee Yang-su, chief spokesperson of the People Power Party's presidential campaign committee, issued a statement on the 5th titled "Lee Jae-myung's pathetic emotional appeal leading to insulting the people," criticizing, "The candidate's self-deprecation has gone too far and turned into an insult to the people."

He said, "No one asked about the unfortunate family history. Not even a single person criticized it," and pointed out, "However, he himself said, 'My origin is lowly,' and shifted all the events in his life to blame his 'lowly origin.'"

He added, "The candidate's attempt to overcome numerous suspicions that he should explain to the people with outdated emotional appeals is an obvious nonsense. There is a saying in baduk (Go) that 'a master does not make excuses after losing, but a novice complains,' and Lee's move is 'the worst of novices,'" directly attacking him.

Furthermore, the chief spokesperson said, "Being born poor is neither a sin nor something to be ashamed of. None of the jobs Lee mentioned?'cleaner,' 'Yakult delivery person,' 'sewing machine operator,' or 'construction worker'?are lowly," and added, "The people will respond with 'regime change' to his shallow attempt to cover his faults and overcome the crisis by excessively self-deprecating and stirring the people's tears."

He emphasized, "Before it is too late, he must bow his head and apologize for insulting the people who live honestly, sweating in their respective positions."

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is having a conversation at the National People's Meeting held at the Wanju Hydrogen Charging Station in Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk on the 5th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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On the same day, Heo Eun-ah, chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, also issued a statement, saying, "'Unfortunate childhood' is an excuse that criminals often use to reduce their sentences," and criticized, "The ruling party's presidential candidate brought out the same strategy to arouse the people's sympathy."

He said, "The abusive language toward his elder brother and his wife, the defense of gangsters, and the defense in his nephew's murder case are issues unrelated to the candidate's origin," and sharply criticized, "The candidate distorts criticism of his inappropriate behavior as if it were a derogatory remark about his family."

In response, the ruling party pointed out, "Please observe at least basic manners." Shin Hyun-young, spokesperson for the Democratic Party's presidential campaign committee, said in a briefing, "The People Power Party spokesperson harshly criticized the candidate's unfortunate family history as a criminal's excuse," and added, "No matter how much the People Power Party's campaign committee, dominated by former prosecutors who see everything only in terms of criminality, is a 'prosecutor republic,' such reckless remarks should not be made."

He said, "We feel dismayed by the People Power Party's behavior of maliciously retaliating against the candidate's sincere confession. The candidate's difficult past is the sorrow of ordinary people," and said, "The candidate's fourth younger sister, who worked as a Yakult delivery person and sewing machine operator and passed away in a bathroom, was a story filled with the heartbreaking sorrow of ordinary people."

He added, "We do not expect consolation from the People Power Party, but we ask them to observe at least basic manners as human beings before politicians."

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