"They Must Apologize for What They Did Wrong Within the Behavior of Established Power Parties" Scathing Remark
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Yoon Hee-sook, a member of the People Power Party, expressed support for the reform intentions of the first-term lawmakers of the Democratic Party of Korea but predicted that their path would by no means be easy.
On the 11th, Yoon stated on her Facebook, "My feelings are complicated as I read the full apology statement from the first-term lawmakers of the Democratic Party."
She said, "The apology statement contains the content that the Democratic Party, having become an establishment party, has been consistent with overconfidence, complacency, and arrogance," but added, "Although this is an accurate diagnosis, since the apology is made in the name of the first-term lawmakers, they themselves?not the party leadership?should have apologized for what they did wrong within the behavior of an establishment party."
She continued, "The only self-reflective content about themselves in the apology statement is that they 'did not participate fiercely in the decision to nominate a mayoral candidate,'" and added, "Apologizing only for that is disappointing and makes me question the sincerity." The reason is, "Many of the first-term lawmakers who led the apology yesterday have shown more than anyone else over the past year a retrogressive political approach, being trapped in factional logic," and "many have clearly shown that being young and inexperienced in politics alone does not qualify one as a reform force."
Nevertheless, Yoon said she supports the first-term lawmakers. She said, "The sincerity of the apology depends on what kind of actions they will show going forward," and "Judging from the reaction of the Democratic Party's core supporters, that path will by no means be easy." She added, "Not only opposition politicians but also citizens with different political views need to encourage and watch over them for the sincerity contained in the apology to be preserved to whatever extent," and concluded, "I believe that will be an important step for the development of our politics."
Earlier, about 50 first-term lawmakers of the Democratic Party emphasized in a joint statement, "We first-term lawmakers will change. We will take the lead in the Democratic Party's innovation. We will become the main agents of party reform." They said, "The Democratic Party should not have nominated a candidate in this by-election. We pushed for amendments to the party constitution and regulations and nominated a candidate without public consensus, then closed our ears," and "As first-term lawmakers, we reflect on not having participated fiercely in the decision-making process."
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