Former Gyeonggi governor Lee Jae-myung, who ran for the Democratic Party of Korea’s Incheon Gyeyang in the by-election for the National Assembly, warned citizens who swear words during the election campaign, saying it was a “criminal act.” On the 19th, spokeswoman Park Min-young of People’s Power criticized, “What did someone you know swear at your brother-in-law?”
Former governor Lee carried out an election campaign the night before, walking around the alleys of Imhak-dong, Gyeyang-gu, Incheon, greeting citizens he met at restaurants and on the street, and taking selfies together. Incheon Mayor Park Nam-chun and Gyeyang-gu Mayor Yoon Hwan also attended the event. Supporters followed him, chanting “Lee Jae-myung” and others.
However, in a video released on YouTube that day, the former governor approached after hitting the car ‘trick tick’ when a citizen who got into a passing car while walking down the alley swears, “Ow, Mr. X”. He expressed his displeasure at the citizens, saying, “Swearing is a criminal act” and “Be careful because everything has been verified.” “I don’t like it or hate it,” he said. When a citizen countered that “that person cursed first,” former governor Lee said, “Don’t say that.”
After sharing the video on his Facebook, Spokesperson Park said, “How could someone who knows so well that swearing is a crime spit such a vulgar swear word to his brother-in-law? It’s salty,” he added. He continued, “You have to think a little bit behind the scenes and act.”
Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the Democratic Party’s general election, speaks at a ceremony for the election of the Democratic Party of Korea held at Gyeyang Station Plaza in Incheon on the 19th. photo co-opFormer governor Lee experienced a similar situation during a campaign on the 11th. At that time, the former governor Lee, who was traveling around Gyeyang-gu, said at a chicken restaurant from a citizen, “Hey, is Gyeyang a Hogu? Why did you crawl?” But this time, “Teacher, you don’t like me. There must be someone like that. Please tell me what you want to say.” He approached and listened to the citizens.
Correspondent Jo Hye-sun, Donga.com hs87cho@donga.com
