"Yoon Controversy Is a More Serious Issue Than Lee's Insults"
"Many Say the Country Will Collapse If Yoon Becomes President"
On the 23rd, Yoo Si-min, former chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, appeared on KBS1's "Let's Do Politics 2." Photo by YouTube capture
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Former Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Chairman Yoo Si-min harshly criticized Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, saying, "Many people around me say that if candidate Yoon becomes president, the country will collapse."
On the 23rd, Yoo appeared on KBS1's 'Let's Do Politics 2' and commented on Yoon's recent rise in approval ratings, saying, "I can give credit for the fact that the internal conflict within the People Power Party has been resolved." However, he criticized Yoon's one-line pledges such as 'abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family' and 'soldiers' monthly salary of 2 million won,' saying, "What kind of politics is that? As a voter, it can be upsetting."
When lawyer Jeon Won-chak, who appeared with him, defined Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, as having a 'personal risk' and Yoon Seok-yeol as having a 'family risk,' Yoo said, "There is some validity to that," but questioned, "From another perspective, which side is more serious?"
Yoo mentioned Lee's controversy over his 'insulting his sister-in-law,' saying, "The disputing parties, (Lee's) brother and mother, have all passed away and are no longer present. It is a personal risk but from the past," and pointed out, "However, issues related to candidate Yoon's spouse, Kim Geon-hee, and surrounding figures, as well as shamanism controversies, are existing risks."
He continued, "If Yoon becomes president, the issues concerning his wife Kim Geon-hee and the shamanism controversy will continue to be future problems," and argued, "If you ask which risk is greater between the two, Yoon's risk is a more serious national issue."
He added, "Regarding Lee's past controversies, people can have different opinions, but those are things of the past, whereas Yoon's issues are ongoing and could cause bigger problems in the future," emphasizing this point.
When lawyer Jeon pointed out, "I was really shocked after listening to Lee's insulting tape," Yoo rebutted, "Which file did you listen to? You need to listen to the entire file. You shouldn't speak after listening to an edited version."
Regarding Yoon's shamanism controversy, Yoo criticized, "I have doubts about candidate Yoon. I wonder, 'Is that person stupid? Does he think the people are stupid?'" He also said, "I previously said that Kim Geon-hee would be very distressed as a private individual, but I take that back. She will not be distressed at all. She is someone who can handle it well."
He said, "Yoon said that Kim really hates politics. Besides that, there are various things he said about his wife. If those are lies, then he is treating the people like fools, and if he really thinks and said that, then he has been completely deceived by his wife. He is the fool."
Hearing this, lawyer Jeon said, "Calling the candidate directly stupid goes beyond the level of criticism," and requested restraint, saying, "We are doing political criticism ahead of the election, but using such expressions goes beyond disparaging Kim Geon-hee and carries many implications."
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