"Lee Nak-yeon and Lee Jae-myung Flattery, Too Hard to Watch with Open Eyes" Yoo Seung-min's Fierce Criticism

Lee Nak-yeon "No Flaws in the Structure of the Press Conference"
Lee Jae-myung "How Fortunate It Is That Moon Is in That Position"

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min fiercely criticized Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province, who praised President Moon Jae-in's New Year's press conference on the 19th, saying, "I cannot bear to watch the sycophantic competition between the two ruling party presidential candidates."

In a post on his Facebook on the same day, former lawmaker Yoo said, "The sycophantic competition between these two ruling party presidential candidates is literally unbearable to the eyes of the people," using the phrase mokbul-in-gyeon (目不忍見).

He evaluated, "President Moon Jae-in's New Year's press conference yesterday was a great disappointment," adding, "I had expected him to take responsibility, reflect, apologize for the government's mismanagement, and pledge to follow the people's will with a renewed determination during the remainder of his term, but instead, he only revealed absurd levels of awareness with excuses, evasion of responsibility, and remarks like 'changing adopted children.'"

He continued, "Regarding such a disappointing press conference, the two ruling party presidential candidates spoke in a way completely opposite to the people's sentiments. It was as if they were under the illusion of watching North Korean broadcasts," and interpreted, "The only reason these two are engaging in this embarrassing sycophantic competition is that they need to win the votes of the pro-Moon hardline supporters to become the Democratic Party's presidential candidate."

He added, "Such low-level sycophantic competition only regresses our politics into a more backward state," and pointedly asked, "Does this mean these two have no critical awareness at all regarding the numerous failures and mistakes of the Moon Jae-in administration, including livelihood and economy, K polarization, real estate, conflicts with the prosecution, vaccine procurement, the 'Jung In case,' and inter-Korean relations?"

Yoo emphasized, "For democracy to function properly, courageous voices of criticism must arise from within the power structure regarding the wrongdoings of those in power," and stated, "It is the historic mission entrusted to the citizens of the democratic republic to prevent further damage to the country and to establish a new government."

President Moon Jae-in is answering a reporter's question at the New Year's press conference held at the Blue House Chunuchu-gwan on the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, President Moon held a New Year's press conference at the Blue House's Chunuchwan on the 18th.

Following this, Lee Nak-yeon evaluated on his Facebook, "President Moon Jae-in held a New Year's press conference," adding, "Although it was the first-ever hybrid online-offline conference, there were no flaws in the flow and structure."

Regarding President Moon's opposition to his proposal for pardoning former presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, Lee briefly mentioned, "He said that a national consensus must be formed as a prerequisite. I respect the President's intention."

Governor Lee Jae-myung also shared on Facebook after the press conference, "Watching President Moon Jae-in's New Year's press conference today, I once again thought how fortunate it is that President Moon is in that position during a once-in-a-century global infectious disease crisis."

He continued, "The Moon administration was established on the foundation of the Candlelight Revolution," and pledged, "Reforms to realize the wishes of all the people who lit the harsh winter will continue, and as governor of Gyeonggi Province, representing 13.8 million residents, I will do my best on that path."