Wearing a Bulletproof Vest Under a Jumper to Campaign… An Estimated 20,000 Supporters Gather According to the Democratic Party
“Putting an End to Rebellion and Overcoming Crisis are Just the First Steps… We Must Move Toward a New Standard in a New Civilization”
“I Will Prove How One Leader Can Dramatically Change the World”,
Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, officially launched his presidential campaign on March 12, the first day of the 21st presidential campaign, with an event under the slogan “Revolution of Light” at Gwanghwamun Square, emphasizing messages of “ending rebellion” and “overcoming crisis.”
The Democratic Party reported that 20,000 supporters attended the launch event at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul on that day. In his first campaign speech, Lee emphasized, “This election is not merely a contest between the Democratic Party and the People Power Party, but a crucial battle against the entrenched powers that have almost destroyed the country and disrupted the constitutional order and livelihood of the people.”
He added, “Though we prosecuted the rebellion leaders and stripped them of the presidency, the ensuing 2nd and 3rd waves of rebellion from these residual forces are ongoing,” and assured, “However, their revolt can never succeed.”
Wearing a bulletproof vest under his blue campaign jumper, Lee stated, “Even after narrowly winning the presidential election three years ago, those in power leveraged arrogance and self-interest to push people into suffering. The division and conflict in society have rendered it necessary for a presidential candidate to campaign in a bulletproof vest. People’s lives are on the brink, democracy and national prestige have collapsed, and peace and security are being usurped as tools for power retention.”
Continuing, he said, “Ending rebellion and overcoming crisis are merely the first steps. The nation we envision is not the Republic of Korea before the rebellion but one that emerges as a new standard in a new era of civilization.”
He further emphasized, “There is no room to be mired in the past or divided by ideology, ideology, or faction. From now, there are no issues of progressivism or conservatism, only the issues of the Republic of Korea.”
“Without a transition committee, the incoming administration will have to immediately steer a storm-tossed ship through enormous crisis waves. We need a competent captain ready to effectively manage the nation,” he asserted.
He pledged, “If you give Lee Jae-myung the opportunity to work, I will prove just how significantly one leader can transform the world. Choose me as the useful tool and loyal worker to prove the happiness of the people.”
The Democratic Party’s campaign committee also expressed their determination for victory at the launch event held at the same location. Yoon Yeo-joon, the standing executive director of the committee, stated, “When illegal martial forces cling to vested interests, let us unfold the wings of grand national unity.”
Park Chan-dae, the floor leader, remarked, “The rebellion has not yet ended. Political prosecutors and certain political judges have contempt for the people and attempted to help the forces of rebellion regain power,” adding, “They will try again with 2nd and 3rd attempts to disrupt the constitutional order and steal power. We cannot afford to lose this battle.”
Following the launch event, Lee plans to visit Pangyo-dong in Seongnam City, Dongtan in Hwaseong City, and Daejeon Metropolitan City, continuing his policy-focused activities. In Pangyo, he plans to hold a brown-bag meeting (a lunch meeting) with professionals in the innovation industry, and in Dongtan and Daejeon, he will campaign using the keywords “semiconductors” and “science and technology,” respectively.