Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, made remarks indicating he would not engage in political retaliation after taking office during a campaign rally in Jeollanam-do. He also appealed for support, saying the Democratic Party fears Honam and is trying to capture the 'farmyard sentiment.'
During a rally in Naju, Jeollanam-do, on the 17th, the candidate said, 'All resources should be used for the people, not for fulfilling the honors and selfish desires of specific vested interests, or to eliminate political opposition.' He added, 'Where does our (Democratic Party) time to do that come from in this busy period?'
'I don't have much time left in my life, and being president is only five years. Where do I have the time to dig behind others and say, 'You troubled me, so I want to trouble you too?' We are not childish people,' he emphasized.
When the candidate said, 'People experience happiness in various ways as they live. Some people like to trouble others,' a supporter shouted, 'Yoon Suk-yeol!' The candidate also said, 'But I am very happy if another person is happy because of me,' adding, 'I was happiest when I was mayor of Seongnam.'
There were also remarks urging for a definitive win in Jeollanam-do, where support for the Democratic Party is strong. In particular, he mentioned that the Democratic Party had given up the mayoral position in Damyang-gun to the Rebuilding Korea Party in last month's by-election, referring to Honam as a 'living bamboo stick.' The bamboo stick is a tool used in Buddhism to awaken the mind and body when distracted.
The candidate said, 'The Democratic Party has a fear of Honam. Instead of calling it a farmyard, we should call it a bamboo stick,' emphasizing, 'This is Honam's greatness. Honam supports the party, but it can be removed at any time if done wrong.'
'Ending this anachronistic regime with the candlelight revolution, the revolution of light is also the spirit of Honam,' he said, stressing, 'Let's move towards a true Republic of Korea where all abilities and opportunities are used only for the people.'