Lee Jae-myung, on 'Pro-Japanese Defense' Criticism... Ruling Party: "You Can't Say a Word to Kim Jong-un"

Yeo "The more you flare up, the more your pro-Japanese true colors are revealed"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 9th, the ruling and opposition parties engaged in a fierce dispute over Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, referring to the South Korea-U.S.-Japan joint East Sea military exercises as an 'extreme pro-Japanese act.'

Yang Geum-hee, chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, criticized in a statement that day, "No citizen can sympathize with Lee's remarks, which incite anti-Japanese sentiment and provoke the 'Death Song' even regarding national defense to protect the lives of the people and peace on the Korean Peninsula."

Chief Spokesperson Yang pointed out, "The public is well aware that Lee's remarks are nothing more than a political diversion to cover up his 'illegal risks,' which are being revealed almost daily."

Jung Jin-seok, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, wrote on Facebook, "Military exercises to deter North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's nuclear missile provocations are conducted with the U.S. and Japan, not with China and Russia," and questioned, "Why does he find fault with the 'Free Alliance' military exercises while unable to say a word to Kim Jong-un?"

Chairman Jung condemned, "'Pro-Japanese defense' is a variation of the Death Song and a prelude to anti-American struggles," adding, "The intention is to first strike Japan, the weakest link in the South Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation, and then destroy the South Korea-U.S. alliance."

Jung Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party counterattacked again. Kim Eui-gyeom, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said at a National Assembly briefing, "The People Power Party is flaring up over Lee's remarks as anti-Japanese agitation, but the more they do so, the more their pro-Japanese nature is revealed."

He continued, "In the past, joint military exercises were never held in the East Sea, and even if conducted around the Korean Peninsula, they took place in the distant waters south of Jeju Island," emphasizing, "Japan's military has never been allowed to display the Rising Sun flag and show force near Dokdo waters."

Spokesperson Kim stated, "The footprints of our nation's blood, including those of comfort women and forced labor, still stain Japan's military boots," and warned, "If you open the front door, it's only a matter of time before they enter the main room."

He added, "Past South Korea-U.S.-Japan joint exercises were search and rescue drills or missile warning exercises," and criticized, "Has there ever been a time when military exercises with Japan were as aggressive as this?"