Lee Jae-myung, the former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who declared his candidacy for the 21st presidential election on the 11th, said, “I will make this presidential election a turning point for South Korea to open a future of new hope,” presenting the "K-Initiative" as his vision. The former leader refers to areas in which South Korea takes the lead, such as K-Culture and K-Democracy, collectively as the K-Initiative.
He noted that through the K-Initiative, “in order to survive in the harsh global battlefield, we must now shift the paradigm from ‘imitation’ to ‘leadership.’” He has also completed personnel appointments for his primary election camp. The former leader appointed Yoo Ho-jung, a five-term member of the Democratic Party, as the head of the campaign's election strategy headquarters, and Kang Hoon-sik, a three-term member, as the overall head.
The former leader stated during a vision and camp personnel announcement held at the National Assembly's communication hall in Yeouido, Seoul, at 10 a.m., “This presidential election is not just about electing a president for a five-year term.”
He remarked, “The next five years will be a ‘critical time’ for the fate of South Korea,” adding, “This is a historical watershed that will determine whether we will prove to be a great nation standing tall in the world after overcoming presidential upheaval, or continue on a path of destruction and regression.” This seems directed at some candidates from the People Power Party, who have been unable to let go of the ‘Yoon’s heart’ since the ousting of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
◇“K-Initiative, from imitation to leadership technology”
The former leader emphasized the ‘K-Initiative’ again in today's vision announcement, following his candidacy video yesterday.
He presented the vision of the ‘K-Initiative’ as “transforming our political, economic, social, and cultural systems achieved through ‘the technology of imitation’ into ‘the technology of leadership.’
He added, “We must break free from the limitations of a ‘function-centered society’ that has focused solely on ‘quantitative growth’ and strive for a ‘value-centered society’ that pursues ‘qualitative growth’ while reflecting on what kind of life is a happy life.”
◇“The wealth of the nation is created by corporations… a time where the role of government is important”
The former leader emphasized that the international economic order has completely changed since the 20th presidential election three years ago, and he highlighted the importance of the role of the government.
After the announcement, he met with reporters and noted, “The boundaries of nations have disappeared in competition,” stating, “Each corporation engaged in economic competition must confront global firms with super-sized capital and technology, creating a situation that is difficult for individual corporations to manage.”
He continued, “The wealth of the nation is created by corporations, and global competition that transcends competition between nations is conducted by corporations,” emphasizing, “Therefore, support and investment cooperation at the national level is essential. The time when the role of government becomes more important has returned.”
He also stated, “However, it should not be that corporations exclusively reap benefits; rather, many people should be able to share them reasonably.”
◇Emphasis on Jalsanism and pragmatism… “We must become a leader one step ahead”
He reiterated his earlier assertions regarding ‘Jalsanism’ and ‘pragmatism.’ The former leader indicated, “The reason I presented the vision of Jalsanism is no different. We must cultivate the ability to read the world with our own eyes and be capable of leading the game through our own choices.”
Jalsanism is an evolved concept of ‘Meoksanism,’ which the former leader has emphasized. In his speech at the National Assembly in February, he proposed transforming the existing ‘Meoksanism’ into ‘Jalsanism’ and has continued to highlight it. While Meoksanism refers to ‘solving the problem of making a living,’ Jalsanism refers to ‘everyone living well together.’
The former leader referred to the past four months of impeachment politics as the ‘worst crisis.’ He stated, “Ending the domestic unrest is merely the first step in the great achievements we have made,” and expressed, “We will become a soft power nation leading global civilization, from K-Democracy to K-Culture content, K-Science and Technology, and K-Brand, and now South Korea will emerge as a ‘first mover’ the world is paying attention to.”
He added, “I, Lee Jae-myung, who have created a path from nothing by turning crises into opportunities, will open the way for overcoming crises and re-leaping,” stating, “I will usher in a new era of the ‘K-Initiative.’”
◇‘From now on, a real South Korea’·‘Now is Lee Jae-myung’ as slogans
Meanwhile, in this presidential election, the main slogan of the former leader is “From now on, a real South Korea,” and the brand slogan is “Now is Lee Jae-myung.”
The camp explained that they focused more on ‘what changes will be made’ rather than ‘how to win the election’ with the main slogan.
Additionally, the brand slogan, “Now is Lee Jae-myung,” is explained as expressing confidence that ‘a real South Korea can be built from now on’ through the candidate's strengths of drive, decisiveness, and competence, along with the will to lead the ‘K-Initiative’ that is at the forefront of the world.
The former leader also revealed the key appointments within the camp. Yoo Ho-jung (five-term) will serve as the head of the camp's headquarters. Kang Hoon-sik (three-term) has been appointed as the overall head. Park Soo-hyun (two-term), the former chief of public communication at the Blue House, and Han Byeong-do (three-term), the former chief of political affairs at the Blue House, have been appointed as the head of the public relations team and head of the situation room, respectively. Yoon Hoo-deok (four-term) will lead the policy headquarters, while Kim Young-jin (three-term) will serve as the head of the political strategy headquarters. Lee Hae-sik (two-term), the former chief spokesperson, and Kang Yu-jeong (first-term), the current floor spokesperson, have been appointed as the candidate's secretary general and camp spokesperson, respectively.