In a Facebook post, Song stated, "The president is not just crossing the line of election interference; he is actively campaigning."
He noted that after attending a K-Shipbuilding meeting in Ulsan, President Lee visited the Namnok Market in Ulsan and then the Moran Market in Seongnam after a meeting at the Saemaul Undong Central Association. He added that last Friday, the president visited the Namdaemun Market following a Parents' Day ceremony, claiming, "He is now conducting open campaign tours of traditional markets every day."
Song emphasized that the Moran Market is politically significant for President Lee, as it is his political hometown, and the candidate for Seongnam mayor, Kim Byeong-wook, is a former senior secretary at the Blue House. He argued that the choice of location is suspicious, stating, "While past presidents have faced allegations of election interference, none have campaigned directly in traditional markets every day just 20 days before an election."
He recalled that in March 2016, when then-President Park Geun-hye visited innovation centers in Daegu and Busan, the Democratic Party vehemently criticized her for election interference, despite her actions being part of her official duties. "The Democratic Party condemned her for visiting regions, labeling it election interference, while President Lee is not even visiting traditional markets, yet he is campaigning openly," Song remarked.
He concluded by stating, "If the president continues this campaign, the People Power Party will take immediate legal action against his blatant electioneering."
Jeong Hee-yong, head of the election campaign headquarters, also targeted President Lee, questioning, "Is the obligation of political neutrality and concerns over election interference a selective principle that disappears when the regime changes?" He criticized the president for leading the push for a so-called 'special prosecutor for the cancellation of charges' amid constitutional controversies, suggesting that such behavior reflects a selective interpretation of laws and principles.
Jeong added, "The public does not trust a power that is strict with others but lenient with itself. I urge the president to reflect on the weight of his past words and at least adhere to the standards he has set for himself."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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