Democratic Party vows to be Lee Won-taek's 'budget guarantee' if he wins North Jeolla governorship

Han Byung-do, co-chair of the Democratic Party of Korea's joint standing campaign committee, said Tuesday that if Lee Won-taek wins the North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province governorship, the Democratic Party will serve as his "budget guarantee."

Speaking at a press conference at the North Jeolla Provincial Assembly on Tuesday, Han praised Lee as "the real worker who will revive North Jeolla and restore the pride of its residents."

"Budgets cannot be secured through words alone. You need the power to pass laws in the National Assembly and control the budget," Han said. "We will draft legislation and pour in funding to make Lee Won-taek's campaign pledges a reality — including his plans for the renewable energy industry, the agri-bio industry, and nurturing companies with annual sales of 100 billion won (about $66.2 million)."

Han added that Lee would be the first person to walk through his National Assembly office door after the ninth round of local elections begins. "The Lee Jae Myung government and the Democratic Party can drive North Jeolla's great leap forward," he said, urging voters to go to the polls Wednesday and elect Lee Won-taek with overwhelming support as candidate No. 1.