Lee Kang-deok, a preliminary candidate for North Gyeongsang Province governor from the People Power Party (PPP), claimed on the 28th that the Democratic Party of Korea is responsible for blocking the passage of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk administrative merger bill, citing a famous line from the hit drama "Lady Dua."
In a social media post titled "Lee Kang-deok Answers Lady Dua's Question," the candidate wrote: "The globally top-ranked 'Lady Dua' contains the famous line, 'If it's completely indistinguishable from the real thing, can you really call it fake?' I thought the drama was delivering a message condemning a world that has lost both the ability and will to distinguish real from fake."
"Just like in the drama, there are many fakes that seem real in politics," Lee continued. "The Democratic Party leader who visited Daegu on the 27th said the PPP would be responsible if the Daegu-Gyeongbuk merger fails. But is it wrong to argue that we should supplement and pass the Daegu-Gyeongbuk merger bill, which is far less comprehensive than the Jeonnam-Gwangju merger bill?"
The candidate added that the Democratic Party leader "even told Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk and Floor Leader Song Eon-seok to kneel in apology and apologize to the nation."
"If we must assign blame for the TK merger failure, the responsibility lies with the Democratic Party's 'divisive scheme' that promoted regional division, and with some individuals who responded recklessly after being swayed by that framing," Lee argued.
"My position and that of the PPP is that we have no disagreement on the need for administrative integration for balanced national development, but there must be a procedure to ask residents' opinions, and we should process a Daegu-Gyeongbuk merger bill that is at least as thorough and solid as the Jeonnam-Gwangju merger bill," Lee stated.
He accused the Democratic Party of "employing divisive tactics, with senior ruling party figures including President Lee Jae-myung, Judiciary Committee Chair Choo Mi-ae, and lawmaker Park Ji-won shifting blame to the opposition while fueling regional conflict and internal opposition party discord."
"As a true authenticator, I will protect the truth so that provincial residents are not deceived by illusions," Lee pledged. "I will fight against fakes until the end to protect what is real."
Meanwhile, Lee attended a legislative report meeting for National Assembly member Jeong Hee-yong at the Chilgok-gun Education and Culture Center on the same day, clasping hands with Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk and saying, "I will unite my strength with Chairman Jang."