May 5: Ruling Party's YouTube Channel Posts 'Letter from Roh Moo-hyun' Video
Support for Candidate Lee Jae-myung in Former President's Voice
"Did You Use Synthesized Voice of the Deceased for Election?" Opposition Criticizes Fiercely
On the 5th, the video titled "Even After Thinking Twice, It's Lee Jae-myung" was uploaded on the official YouTube channel of the Democratic Party of Korea, 'Deliminju.' As of the 6th, it has been deleted. / Photo by YouTube video capture
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] A video claiming that the late former President Roh Moo-hyun supports Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, was uploaded to the party's official channel but was later deleted. This sparked strong criticism not only from opposition parties but also among netizens.
The video was posted on the Democratic Party's official YouTube channel 'DeliMinju' on the 5th under the title "Even after thinking twice, it is Lee Jae-myung. #RohMooHyun's Letter." In the video, a voice resembling former President Roh says, "Dear citizens, this is Roh Moo-hyun from the world where people live. It’s been a long time since we last met."
Then, the voice continues, "The 20th presidential election of the Republic of Korea is just around the corner. I, Roh Moo-hyun, who dreamed of a world where people live, rising above poverty and adversity, supporting the righteous candidate Lee Jae-myung who thinks only of the people, does not compromise with injustice, and fights and overcomes vested interests."
He also says, "My wife, Mrs. Kwon Yang-sook, is said to have supported Lee Jae-myung, who resembles me. She did very well," and urges, "Together with our nation's descendant, comrade Lee Jae-myung, please unite and cooperate to protect democracy on this land and create the best country to live in, the world where people live that Roh Moo-hyun dreamed of."
After the video was released, strong criticism erupted among netizens on online communities and social networking services (SNS). Comments such as "Using deepfake AI to imitate President Roh’s voice to declare support for Lee Jae-myung," "I’m so angry I can’t even speak," and "Is this really made by the Democratic Party’s official channel?" expressed disbelief.
Criticism also came from opposition parties. Han Sang-hyun, youth advisor of the People Power Party’s election campaign headquarters, wrote on his Facebook on the same day, "The Democratic Party should stop this bizarre necromancy politics. It’s simply shocking," and criticized, "Using the late president’s voice synthesized for an election campaign? is this something a human being can conceive?"
He added, "If President Roh were alive, he would have said no to Lee Jae-myung even after thinking twice or thrice. He was someone who sought to overcome regionalism and achieve self-reliant national defense. Would he support someone who divides Yeongnam and Honam and calls for the withdrawal of THAAD?"
Meanwhile, as of the 6th, the controversial video has been set to private on the channel. According to multiple media reports, the video was not produced by the party but was made by a supporter of candidate Lee.
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