[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Ahn Cheol-soo, a lawmaker considered one of the next ruling party leadership candidates, referred to Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, as a "black elephant" (a problem that everyone knows will cause tremendous consequences but everyone pretends not to know and does not resolve) and urged him to "step down from the leadership position himself."
On the 24th, Ahn stated through his social network service (SNS), "Leader Lee has now become the 'black elephant' of Korean politics. We can no longer leave it as it is."
He said, "Leader Lee is accused of taking enormous private gains by using his public position while serving as the mayor of Seongnam. His close aides and comrades, Jeong Jin-sang and Kim Yong, have already been detained. It seems that Leader Lee will not be able to avoid investigation and prosecution either. At this point, it is common political sense to step down from the leadership position voluntarily."
Ahn added, "Rather, Leader Lee and the Democratic Party are pushing for the impeachment and resignation of President Yoon Seok-youl by mobilizing hardline supporters. They have effectively chosen to reject the presidential election results by hiding behind the candlelight protests. The moment Leader Lee chose to reject the election results for his own survival, South Korea fell into chaos and paralysis as if a black elephant had entered the room."
He urged opposition party lawmakers to reflect, saying, "Now everyone must unite and fight. Democratic Party lawmakers who are aware of the problem must raise their voices and fight together."
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