Opposition Slams Lee's Nationwide Tour, Watch Unveiling as Election Campaign

The People Power Party (PPP) on Wednesday accused President Lee Jae-myung of launching a "government-powered election package" targeting the upcoming local elections, following his announcement of nationwide policy briefing tours and the official unveiling of a presidential wristwatch.

Choi Bo-yoon, chief spokesperson for the PPP, said in a statement that "changing the format from briefings held at a single location to the president personally touring regions with extended live broadcasts is not a 'briefing' but a 'local election campaign' staged nationwide."

"They fiercely criticized the previous administration's public livelihood forums as 'government-powered elections' and 'early campaigning,' yet now they are preparing government-powered elections themselves, merely changing the signboard to 'regional briefing tours,'" Choi added.

The spokesperson also pointed to the timing of the presidential watch release. "President Lee said at a dinner with ruling party leaders last June, 'What do we need a Lee Jae-myung watch for?' Yet the very next day, the Presidential Office suddenly announced it was considering producing one," Choi said.

"Now, six months into his term, they have suddenly unveiled the 'President Lee Jae-myung wristwatch.' They say the back is engraved with 'A nation where the people are the owners,' but in the political arena ahead of local elections, it will only be read as 'Lee Jae-myung's nomination certificate,'" the spokesperson added.

Choi urged the Presidential Office to "immediately cease attempts at government-powered elections under the pretext of regional briefing tours and focus on proper policy reviews and work reports."

"The People Power Party will thoroughly monitor to ensure the president's schedule and commemorative items are not abused for local election purposes, and will take all necessary measures," Choi said.