A post by Shin Dong-geun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticizing former People Power Party Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok, uploaded on his Facebook on the 16th. Photo by Shin Dong-geun
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Shin Dong-geun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Lee Jun-seok, former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, engaged in a heated exchange over former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon's remark that he would "protect President Moon Jae-in even if it means dying."
On the 16th, the former Supreme Council member shared an article related to Lee Nak-yeon's remark on his Facebook, pointing out, "Now the Democratic Party has no right to criticize the Taegeukgi Unit. In a situation where they say they will protect President Moon Jae-in even if they die, who can criticize the Taegeukgi Unit that says it will protect former President Park Geun-hye even if they die?"
He continued, "Originally, progressive liberals do not have an object of 'loyalty,'" and added, "What I felt from Lee Nak-yeon's remark is that the Democratic Party can never be progressive liberals, and ideologically, they are more like 'patriotic progressives,' which is the exact opposite of patriotic conservatives."
In response, Representative Shin posted a photo on Facebook of former President Park and former Supreme Council member Lee together, launching a counterattack. This was interpreted as pointing out that Lee Jun-seok was once called a 'Park Geun-hye kid.'
Shin criticized, "It seems that with Lee Jun-seok's mind, he cannot distinguish the significant difference between President Moon Jae-in and former President Park Geun-hye, who was impeached for violating the constitution," adding, "Absurd thinking leads to ridiculous discernment. It is pitiful to think that what even an elementary school student can easily distinguish is not so for the former Supreme Council member."
He further stated, "The claim that progressive liberals do not have an object of loyalty is nonsense," and said, "Progressive liberals have a sense of duty and emotional solidarity toward the national community no less than conservative liberals. How can one talk about progress without a patriotic heart?"
In response, the former Supreme Council member did not back down and fired back, "Is this the level of a former Democratic Party Supreme Council member? Is this for real?" He criticized, "Putting aside the quality of the writing, seeing someone who once said 'Tsushima Island view' trying to deflect criticism from former President Park, it seems that he was sincere then and is sincere now."
This refers to when Representative Shin mocked Park Hyung-joon, the People Power Party candidate for Busan mayor during the April 7 by-elections, saying, "You can see Tsushima Island. The view is really nice," referring to his LCT apartment.
The former Supreme Council member targeted Shin again, saying, "You are trying to create a pro-Japanese frame by linking it to the Tsushima Island view, so does your candidate's house have a view of the Japanese Imperial Palace?" He mentioned Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, and her 'Tokyo apartment' in a counterattack.
Meanwhile, on the previous day (the 15th), it was reported that when aides urged former leader Lee Nak-yeon to differentiate himself from President Moon Jae-in, he said, "Even if it means dying, I will protect the president and go forward."
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