Kim Moon-soo: "I don't need a bulletproof vest; if there's a chance of being shot, I'll take it."

The ruling party's presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo directly criticized the Democratic Party's candidate Lee Jae-myung for wearing a bulletproof vest and setting up bulletproof glass during his campaign activities.

During a campaign event at the Nam Bu Alley Market in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on the 20th, Kim stated firmly, "I don’t need to wear a bulletproof vest. If there’s a chance of being shot, then let it be."

He went on to question, "Who would shoot a gun at a candidate? Our citizens wouldn’t shoot anyone," criticizing Lee’s increased security measures.

Furthermore, he added, "Can someone who wears a bulletproof vest and has bulletproof glass all around really become president?" He also commented, "I said there’s no need for security from former police, but they (Democratic Party) insisted that if I don't receive security, I wouldn't be treated equally."

During a campaign at the express bus terminal in Seocho-gu, he pointed out, "What kind of crimes must you have committed to wear a bulletproof vest and have bulletproof glass?"

At another campaign near Seokchon Lake in Songpa-gu, he remarked, "A person with numerous crimes should not be putting on a bulletproof vest; they should be sitting in the safest place, which is a prison."

Kim also referred to Lee as a "thief," "criminal," and "carbon monoxide gas" during his speeches.

In particular, he brought up the allegations regarding Lee’s spouse, Kim Hye-kyung, about the misuse of corporate credit cards, stating, "My wife and I have never used a corporate card. Should we really elect someone who is like carbon monoxide gas, always sneaking out at the slightest opportunity?"

Kim criticized the Democratic Party for holding a hearing on Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae and pushing for a special investigation law.

He questioned, "Is this really democracy in Korea when a thief holds a hearing for the Chief Justice and pushes for a special investigation?" He added, "Out of fear of violations of election law and spreading false information, the Supreme Court reversed the judgment against Lee, and now he’s trying to shake things up, saying he will hold a hearing and a special investigation to protect himself. Is that acceptable?"

Furthermore, he expressed concern over the Democratic Party's efforts to remove the criteria for actions from the defamation laws under the Public Official Election Act, saying, "If a thief tries to eliminate theft from the criminal code, then Korea is doomed." He questioned how it would be different from a thief calling for the abolition of police stations.

In response, Democratic Party spokesperson Noh Jong-myeon criticized Kim's remarks, stating, "Is it the norm for a party to mock the terror threats against a candidate from the opposing party? Candidate Lee faced terror threats last January and was on the 'target list' during the emergency martial law on December 3. How can you tell someone to stand defenseless against a real threat?"

Image source: Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate of the ruling party, campaigns near Nam Bu Alley Market in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on the 20th. (Joint Coverage) 2025.5.20 / News1, Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, greets citizens while standing on a ladder before a campaign event on Cultural Street at Gurae Station in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province on the afternoon of the 20th. 2025.5.20 / News1, Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate of the ruling party, campaigns in front of Starfield Hanam in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province on the 20th. (Joint Coverage) 2025.5.20 / News1