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Park Chan-dae, interim leader and floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on April 28. / Photo by Song Ui-joo

Park Chan-dae, interim leader and floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized on April 28 that Lee Jae-myung, who was nominated as the party’s presidential candidate, is "the only candidate who can overcome the crises facing our nation and deliver real change that the people can feel."

Speaking during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, Park said, "Candidate Lee is the best choice to overcome the crises confronting South Korea and to improve the lives of the people."

Park added, "The Democratic Party nominated Candidate Lee yesterday for the 21st presidential election with overwhelming support from both party members and the public. It was a choice born from the desperate desire to set the country straight again and the urgent wish to restore democracy and livelihoods."

He stressed that "this presidential election will determine the fate of South Korea," criticizing the current administration by saying, "Over the past three years, we have lived through the collapse of livelihoods, economic devastation, and the disappearance of fairness and common sense. The people's lives and safety have been neglected, and constitutional order and democracy have been trampled."

Park further stated, "This election is about rebuilding the collapsed national system to create a new, genuine South Korea. We must overcome the economic crisis in people's livelihoods through recovery and growth, ease social conflict and polarization, and create a nation where citizens can be truly happy."

He vowed, "The Democratic Party will work with the people to achieve a change in government and open an era where the people are the true owners of this country," adding, "We will build a stronger, happier South Korea."