Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae apologized Tuesday for mistakenly referring to former President Lee Myung-bak as President Lee Jae-myung during a campaign speech, saying, "I am truly sorry."
Appearing on the YouTube show "Choi Wook's Mebulshow" the same day, Jung said, "These days, Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak are out and about. A corrupt figure (former President Lee Myung-bak) is making the rounds, and I referred to Lee Myung-bak as President Lee Jae-myung." He added, "Going forward, it would be more appropriate to call him MB (the abbreviation for former President Lee Myung-bak)."
Earlier that morning, during a campaign rally in support of the Gangdong District head candidate in Seoul, Jung made consecutive verbal slip-ups, saying, "President Lee Jae-myung is doing far better work, is far cleaner, and handles diplomacy better than the three former presidents Yoon Suk-yeol, Park Geun-hye, and Lee Jae-myung combined," and "Lee Jae-myung, who went to prison for corruption."
Commenting on the fact that former presidents from the People Power Party have been campaigning for candidates, Jung emphasized, "Park Geun-hye, who was impeached for abuse of power, is out and about, and MB, who went to prison for corruption, is making the rounds. They talk about so-called conservative consolidation. The democratic, reformist, and progressive forces must unite even more."
He went on to appeal, "I urge those who like and support President Lee Jae-myung to come out to vote," adding, "Even if the Democratic Party candidate falls somewhat short and is not entirely to your liking, I sincerely ask that you vote for the Democratic Party candidate so that the president can carry out state affairs with greater strength."
