Lee Jae-myung "Malicious Fake News Must Be Held Strictly Accountable"

Democratic Party presidential candidate and Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung criticized hardline pro-Moon supporters on the 24th in an interview with the Chosun Ilbo, calling them "noisy and messy" and urging them to "refrain from spreading false information."
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, expressed his thoughts on the pro-Moon Jae-in hardline faction.

In an interview with Chosun Ilbo on the 24th, Lee was asked, "Some pro-Moon hardline supporters deny the Supreme Court's final rulings on Han Myeong-sook and Kim Kyung-soo, and send text message bombs to party members. How do you view such behavior?" He replied, "Actually, their (hardline pro-Moon) numbers are not that large. I am not very worried and think they won't significantly affect the primary election."

He continued, "It is noisy, loud, and messy, but I believe the public's awareness is high enough not to be swayed by them," adding, "However, it would be good if they refrained from spreading false information and violent behavior."

Regarding his past controversial remarks, Lee said in the interview, "I have no intention of retracting them," "I have already answered," and "I will not respond."

When asked if he would retract his past remark referring to the U.S. military as an occupying force, he said, "The term 'occupying force' is not appropriate now." He emphasized, "Before the establishment of the Republic of Korea government, both the U.S. and Soviet troops referred to themselves as occupying forces, and they indeed had that character."

He added, "However, after the government was established, the U.S. military's presence on the Korean Peninsula was based on formal treaties between established governments," emphasizing, "The U.S. Forces Korea will continue to be necessary for stability on the Korean Peninsula and the security of the Republic of Korea."

Regarding questions about the Democratic Party's proposed Media Arbitration Act having many constitutional issues, he said, "There is no reason to sanction reckless reporting, simple errors, or malicious opinions based on facts," but added, "However, deliberate and malicious fake news must be held strictly accountable."

On the controversy over filming a mukbang of tteokbokki with Hwang Kyo-ik during the fire at the Coupang logistics center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, he said, "I will not respond. I have already apologized." Regarding the controversy involving actress Kim Bu-seon, he said, "I have said everything. I believe the public can make a sufficient judgment."