Lee, who served as chief aide to Yoon Suk Yeol during Yoon’s presidential campaign and was known as a close protector, apologized, saying he is not free of responsibility “now that the Yoon Suk Yeol administration has disappointed and hurt the public.”
Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly press center, Lee said, “If you helped create an administration, you must also take responsibility when it fails.”
“Creating an administration was the reason a party exists, and I carried out my duties as a People Power Party lawmaker,” he said. “But now that the administration has disappointed and hurt the public, I am not free of responsibility. I’m sorry. I sincerely apologize.”
He added, “I will not make excuses or hide. I will not avoid the public’s punishment,” and said he would change first, take responsibility where needed, fix what must be fixed, and rebuild trust through actions rather than words.
Taking aim at former Democratic Party lawmaker Choo Mi-ae and Lee Kwang-jae, a Hanam Gap candidate, Lee said the election is “a contest between someone running for Hanam and someone who came to Hanam for an election,” adding, “Hanam is not a nest where migratory birds stop briefly and leave.”
Lee said he did not leave Hanam after losing the last general election because “an election ending does not mean promises to citizens end.” He said he spent the past two years visiting neighborhoods across the city and met residents for talks and other outreach sessions as few as five times a day and as many as 20.
He said he would keep promises to Hanam residents and put their lives at the center of his politics, and urged voters to “judge the arrogant Lee Jae-myung administration” on June 3 and to restore livelihoods and ensure Hanam’s development continues without interruption.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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