Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok visited Daegu, known as the 'heart of conservatism,' on the 13th and noted regarding People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo, 'It is absurd to represent the conservative camp when Kim is in a state of Yangdugu (羊頭狗肉), hanging sheep's head while selling dog meat.'
On this day, before having lunch with students at the Kyungbuk National University student cafeteria in the Buk-gu district of Daegu, Lee met with reporters and said, 'Comments made to stab at the waist are meaningless since public sentiment is harsh.' This referred to Kim's apology made for the first time regarding former President Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law the previous day (12th). He also commented on Kim's negative mention of Yoon's expulsion from the party that day, saying, 'This is the essence of Kim's multi-layered masks.'
Lee stated, 'If one truly judges that the martial law was wrong, it is only proper to expel former President Yoon immediately. Kim, who became a candidate backed by the anti-impeachment forces, should resign.' He emphasized, 'If Kim is going to raise the banner against martial law and support impeachment, he must admit that his actions in the previous People Power Party primary were nearly fraudulent.'
Lee also responded to claims that he and Kim should unify as the conservative camp by saying, 'I hope Kim will no longer mention unification with me or the big tent.' He added, '(If Kim) wants to work freely with the Liberty Unification Party or Jeon Kwang-hoon, whether it's a big tent or a torn tent, I don't mind, but I hope that you pay attention to that side.'
In response to concerns that voting for him would be a 'wasted vote,' Lee remarked, 'Voting for Kim is not only a wasted vote but not a vote for the future either.' He continued, 'Lee Jun-seok might come in first or third. If you support Kim, he will surely come in second. Would you expect to vote for a candidate who can come in first, or would you vote for someone who can surely come in second?'
Regarding Kim, he noted, 'He has already lost to former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum by a large margin in the 20th National Assembly election in Daegu in 2016' and added, 'The citizens of Daegu already judged Kim as water that has already flowed once when it comes to leading the future of Daegu.' He further stated, 'Objectively speaking, the People Power Party was born from conflicting interests and is neither a ready-to-act player nor one elected with a view towards the future.' He emphasized, 'We must unite under Lee Jun-seok, who is preferred by the younger generation, to create an electoral atmosphere that can prevent Lee Jae-myung's solo run.'
Lee directed his comments at Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Jae-myung, saying, 'It is not bad to strengthen his movements in TK (Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province) with newfound confidence,' but added, 'He has only used legislative power for personal protection and to attack the Yoon administration. The citizens of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province will hold him strictly accountable for neglecting their longstanding projects and inciting division up to this point.'
On the other hand, he commented on the Democratic Party's decision not to recruit former KAIST professor Lee Byeong-tae, who was regarded as the economic advisor of former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, due to past remarks and behavior, saying, 'How can the Lee Jae-myung camp, which has a recognized criminal record, trample on the honor of an expert who has accomplished in their field all their life by making an issue of a few remarks or past views?' He added, 'If this professor plans to contribute his knowledge and talent for the future generations of Korea, I plan to request his recruitment once again.'