Jung Sye-kyun "Lee Nak-yeon 'Moon Government 70 Points' Surprising... Is It a Diss to the President?"

Lee Nak-yeon Rates Current Government 70 Points in Interview
Jung Sye-kyun: "Proud Moon Jae-in Government... Let's Verify Who's Right with a 'Face-off Debate'"

Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun (left) and former leader of the Democratic Party Lee Nak-yeon. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Jeong Se-gyun, a presidential primary candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "I was taken aback by candidate Lee Nak-yeon's interview in which he rated the Moon Jae-in administration's governance as 'about 70 points,'" and added, "Isn't this remark a diss against President Moon Jae-in?"

On the 4th, Jeong posted on his social media (SNS), "Candidate Lee Nak-yeon was the longest-serving prime minister in that 'about 70 points' government," and said, "I remember when candidate Lee said that the title of 'longest-serving prime minister' at the time of his retirement was an 'honor beyond my deserving.'"

Previously, former leader Lee, in an interview with a media outlet on the 3rd, was asked, "How many points out of 100 would you give to the current administration?" and answered, "About 70 points." He also said regarding "the points to inherit and change from the Moon administration," "What should be inherited are the peace and inclusive policies, and what needs to be changed is how to resolve the public's distrust and sense of loss regarding real estate issues."

Candidate Jeong said, "I was also a former prime minister under the Moon Jae-in administration. It is one of my proud achievements," and explained, "Regarding the real estate policy that makes the public feel a sense of loss, I also feel sorry to the people. However, it is also true that many good results were achieved in various fields through the hard work of public officials."

He continued, "I take pride in that the government did its best to protect the lives and safety of the people. Efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula should also be recognized," and praised it as a "proud Moon Jae-in administration."

He added, "Although I think it is inappropriate to grade the government's efforts with points, considering the public officials who have worked hard, I would give at least 85 points."

Candidate Jeong said, "Candidate Lee Nak-yeon, as two former prime ministers, let's verify whose words are correct through a 'head-to-head debate,'" and urged, "I hope you will respond positively to my proposal."