“Politics must be a tool to ease the pain of the people.”
On January 24, 2022, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung gave a heartfelt speech at Sangdaewon Market in Seongnam, a place deeply connected to his past. Fighting back tears, he spoke not as a politician but as a person who had survived extreme hardship—poverty, injury, family conflict, and despair.
● Returning to His Roots
Lee spent his childhood and youth in Sangdaewon, a working-class neighborhood.
In his speech, he recalled:
- “My father would bring home fruit that was nearly rotten so we could eat.”
- “After injuring my arm at a factory job, I saw no future for myself. I even thought about ending my life.”
This was not a campaign slogan or a prepared soundbite—it was a survivor’s confession. His voice cracked, and the crowd, deeply moved, stood in complete silence.
● The Most Quoted Line
“I hope this brutal life of mine becomes hope for someone else.”
This sentence became the defining message of the day.
Lee was not merely asking for sympathy—he was offering solidarity and resilience.
His words resonated far beyond the market that day.
● When Political Opponents Cry
The most surprising reaction came from Jeong Gyu-jae, a prominent conservative commentator and former editor-in-chief of PenN&Mic.
Despite their ideological divide, Jeong was brought to tears while watching the speech.
He said on air:
“That kind of suffering cannot be faked. That was real. It was deeply moving.”
It was a rare moment in South Korean politics: one where human truth cut through party lines.
● How the Public Reacted
Online communities, YouTube, and news comment sections were filled with unexpected responses:
- “I never thought I’d cry over a politician’s speech.”
- “Even though I’m not his supporter, this moved me.”
- “It wasn’t a performance—it felt genuine.”
- “Now I understand why his policies focus on the vulnerable.”
● Beyond Tears: A Politics of Healing
Lee did not end the speech in sorrow. He smiled warmly as he looked at the audience and made a promise:
“I’ve overcome every hardship to stand here today.
Now, I want to turn that life into hope for others.”
He explained that his policies—free school uniforms, fruit lunches, and basic income for youth—were not populist gestures. They were reflections of the pain he had once lived through.
● Key Takeaways from the Sangdaewon Speech
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Sangdaewon Market, Seongnam |
| Core Message | “Politics must ease the suffering of the people.” |
| Most Quoted Line | “May my brutal life become someone’s hope.” |
| Conservative Reaction | Jeong Gyu-jae: “It can’t be fake. That was real.” |
| Public Sentiment | “Nonpartisan emotional impact,” “Unexpectedly powerful” |
🎥 Full Video of the Speech
Watch the full version on YouTube:
👉 Lee Jae-myung’s Sangdaewon Speech (YouTube)
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#DemocraticPartyKorea #BasicIncomeKorea #HopeAndHealing #KPolitics2022
#SouthKoreaElections #FreeSchoolUniforms #FruitLunchPolicy #PoliticsOfCompassion
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