Im Miri "I will accept Lee Nak-yeon's remarks... Regret that the party leader has not apologized"

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Professor Im Miri of Korea University stated that she accepts the remarks made by former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon and Nam In-soon, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

On the afternoon of the 17th, Professor Im sent a text message to reporters saying, "It is regrettable that there has been no official apology from the Democratic Party leader, but I find and accept the remarks made by former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon, who is set to serve as the party’s election committee chairman, and Supreme Council Member Nam In-soon to be meaningful." She added, "I hope the Democratic Party reflects on the significance of the Candlelight Revolution and deeply contemplates what my column implies."

Earlier, on the 16th, Professor Im demanded an official apology from the Democratic Party leadership regarding the column accusation incident. The Democratic Party had filed a complaint against Professor Im related to her column titled "Let's Vote Except for the Democratic Party," published last month in Kyunghyang Newspaper. As controversy grew over the Democratic Party suppressing freedom of expression, the party withdrew the complaint against Professor Im on the 14th. However, some Democratic Party supporters have reported Professor Im to the National Election Commission for violating election laws.

In this regard, former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon said to reporters in Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, on the morning of the same day, "I apologize to the people for losing humility or appearing to be lacking in humility." He continued, "From now on, I will be more cautious and vigilant myself," and added, "I expect the party to be more careful as well." When asked if this was a personal apology, he replied, "Yes," but also said, "As the person appointed as co-chairman of the election committee, I am apologizing."

Supreme Council Member Nam also mentioned Professor Im’s name during the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, saying, "The Democratic Party has fought against authoritarian regimes for freedom of expression and the press," and added, "I am heartbroken over the Professor Im incident." She further stated, "The Democratic Party will do better going forward," and "We will communicate and empathize with the people with a humbler attitude, prioritize people’s livelihoods, and strive for a just Republic of Korea."

However, Party Leader Lee Hae-chan and Floor Leader Lee In-young of the Democratic Party did not apologize. Leader Lee only made remarks related to nominations and the general election without mentioning Professor Im, and Floor Leader Lee said, without direct reference, "Recently, there have been calls for our party to listen to the voices of the people with a more humble attitude," adding, "We will open our ears more to public opinion, listen carefully, and show more of the ruling party’s commitment to taking care of people’s livelihoods."

Meanwhile, criticism of the Democratic Party’s column accusation incident continues. Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, criticized at the party’s executive committee meeting held at the National Assembly that day, saying, "The core of freedom of expression is the freedom to express dissenting opinions, and the Democratic Party has shown its narrow-mindedness without reservation." Former Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon pointed out, "The party supported by those who try to silence others using power is the ‘Democratic Party,’" and added, "The values the Democratic Party has advocated for decades are being violently destroyed by the party itself and its supporters." On some social networking services (SNS), posts with hashtags such as #ExceptForTheDemocraticParty, #ProsecuteMeToo, and #IAmImMiri are continuously being uploaded.