Lee Jun-seok Appeals for Support in Daegu Ahead of Presidential Election

On June 2, 2025, Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate from the Reform Party, made a passionate appeal for support in Daegu, just one day before the June 3 election. He stated, "I would rather choose to be a tiger than a 'fat cat' chasing after handouts," referring to established politicians in the region. Lee aims to position himself as a fierce opponent against Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party, asserting his commitment to revitalizing conservatism.

During his final campaign rally at Suseong Lake in Daegu, Lee declared, "I will make Daegu youthful, and I will become a president that all of Korea can be proud of." He urged voters to invest in him, describing himself as the rising crescent moon of the conservative camp, rather than a waning full moon.

Lee emphasized the need to dismantle entrenched political power, stating, "We need to cultivate leaders in the Gyeongbuk region who can roar like tigers on the global stage. To achieve this, we must remove the 'fat cats' that are prevalent in Daegu and Gyeongbuk."

He criticized the People Power Party and candidate Kim Moon-soo, saying, "If you want to stop Lee Jae-myung, you should have scrutinized his policies and ethics like a tiger. Only after I pointed out issues with Lee Jae-myung did the People Power Party scramble to say that voting for me would lead to Lee Jae-myung's victory."

Lee also called for the elimination of what he termed the 'disorderly forces' represented by Lee Jae-myung, accusing him of using a vote-buying strategy by promising benefits funded by others' money. He warned that if Lee Jae-myung were to become president, it could lead to a financial crisis similar to the IMF crisis of 30 years ago.

Highlighting his commitment to conservative reform, Lee remarked, "In my 14 years in politics, I have not taken the easy path. I could have easily become a three-term or four-term lawmaker by running in Daegu, but I feared becoming just another fat cat chasing after handouts. I refuse to be a fat cat; I will choose the path of a tiger, even if it means going hungry."

He appealed directly to the people of Daegu, stating, "The sentiment of Daegu is crucial in this election. If Daegu votes out of habit after experiencing martial law and impeachment, the entire nation will view Daegu in a strange light. I hope Daegu and Gyeongbuk will make the most progressive choice for the future."

Lee concluded by asserting that the conservative movement in Korea must plant the seeds for a new conservative awakening. He emphasized that significant change must occur, particularly in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, and called on the younger generation to unite around him, stating, "We desire change, and the beginning of that change starts tomorrow."