Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 12th, “As the candidate for all citizens longing for the end of rebellion, overcoming crises, and the happiness of the people, I will surely take the lead in the president's primary mission of national unity,” as he officially began his campaign race.
At the rally held at Gwanghwamun Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul, the candidate stated, “This election is a historical turning point in determining whether we will rise as a leading country in the world through national unity or fall into the periphery of the world due to destructive regression.”
He appealed, “I will surely open the dawn of hope together with the people in Gwanghwamun, the place where the Constitution Article 1 lives and breathes as a manifestation of popular sovereignty,” adding, “Please join me in this great new start, as history and hope find a new path.” The Democratic Party designated Gwanghwamun as a space symbolizing the 'Revolution of Light' and chose it as the first campaigning location.
At the rally, the candidate showcased a performance by removing his suit jacket and changing into campaign attire, as well as taking off his dress shoes and putting on sneakers. This indicated his determination to 'run hard' as a presidential candidate. The sneakers he wore featured a design that combines the Democratic Party's signature color 'blue' and the conservative party's symbolic color 'red,' highlighting the message of 'national unity.'
The candidate remarked, “A complex crisis that is hard to bear is striking us,” and “To overcome the trade crisis originating from the United States and infinite competition in artificial intelligence (AI), all citizens need to unite and combine our strengths.”
He continued, “We no longer have time or leisure to be caught up in the past, entangled in ideologies and factions,” emphasizing, “From now on, there are no issues of progressives or conservatives. There is only the issue of the Republic of Korea and the issue of the people.”
The candidate added, “The tasks before us are to restore the broken livelihood, democracy, and peace, and to revive the devastated economy,” stating, “Beyond restoration, we will be a country reborn to set global standards in the new civilization era, a true Republic of Korea leading the world with 'Well-beingism' on the foundation of 'Megasanism.'”
He expressed hope, saying, “I ask you to choose me, Lee Jae-myung, as a tool to realize popular sovereignty and a loyal worker,” and stated, “Now, the Republic of Korea will be greater, stronger, wider, and more beautiful than ever.”
The Democratic Party's election management committee reiterated the messages of 'integration' and 'end of rebellion' at the rally.
Yoon Yeo-jun, the chief election strategist, noted, “This presidential election is a very important election for the people to confirm that they are the true masters of the Republic of Korea,” and said, “While the illegal martial law forces cling to the past and cling to vested interests, let us look to the future. Let us spread the wings of national unity.”
Park Chan-dae, the chief election strategist, targeted Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, saying, “While mocking the people, they staged a dramatic candidate swap and ultimately presented an extreme right candidate from a rebellion government,” asserting, “They will attempt the second and third rebellions again.”
He added, “The Democratic Party will go out to the corners of the country during the 22-day campaign period starting today and approach the people,” and asserted, “Believing in the people and with the people and candidate Lee, we will run at full speed toward a decisive victory in the presidential election and a decisive change of government, sincerely and earnestly.”
After the rally, the candidate will hold a brown bag meeting with information technology (IT) developers at 12 p.m. in Pangyo, Seongnam. Then, at 2:30 p.m., he is scheduled to campaign on 'K-Semiconductors' in Dongtan, Hwaseong. At 6 p.m., he plans to hold a campaign focused on 'K-Science and Technology' in Daejeon.