Criticism of Korea-Japan Summit
Political Message After Two Months Since Early This Year
Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon broke his long silence to deliver a political message. Lee criticized the government regarding the Korea-Japan summit, saying, "Contrary to the expectations of both countries, it revealed the limitations of both governments and created a new crisis."
Lee's public remarks came coincidentally on the same day the prosecution indicted Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, making the timing significant. Attention is focused on Lee's political comeback, expected upon his return to Korea in June after completing his study program in the United States.
In a post on Facebook that day, Lee criticized the government's solution to forced labor compensation, saying, "The Korean side tried to resolve the issue of forced labor during the Japanese colonial period too easily and unilaterally," calling the government's approach inappropriate.
He went on to say about the Korea-Japan summit, "The Japanese side pressured Korea on all fronts, as if they had seized a golden opportunity, bringing up everything they wanted to say," and diagnosed, "They even boldly pushed issues that should have been approached cautiously, like Dokdo and Fukushima seafood."
Lee said, "Korea-Japan relations need to improve. However, efforts should have been made to improve them while preserving national pride, universal justice, the separation of powers, and the positions of previous administrations." He pointed out, "President Yoon spoke at length about the necessity of improving Korea-Japan relations at the Cabinet meeting but avoided discussing the right or wrong of the methods used."
He added, "I hope people understand that the public's confusion and anger are not because of the improvement of Korea-Japan relations but because of the methods used," and said, "The matter has been done. Both countries should face the situation squarely and come up with wise solutions. There can be ways. It is difficult to continue as it is."
This was Lee's first public political statement in about two months since he criticized President Yoon's remark that "the enemy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is Iran" in January. Lee had refrained from public comments since leaving for a one-year study program in Washington, D.C., in June last year.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
However, from the end of last year, he gradually expressed his thoughts on political issues through social media and local lectures. Each time, speculation about Lee's political comeback was steadily raised in political circles.
Lee's message coincidentally came on the same day the prosecution indicted Lee Jae-myung. The prosecution sent Lee Jae-myung to trial on allegations of preferential treatment in the Wirye New Town and Daejang-dong development projects and suspicions regarding donations to Seongnam FC.
Lee Nak-yeon, who served as the first prime minister under the Moon Jae-in administration, was a rival candidate to Lee Jae-myung in the last presidential primary. The publicization of Lee Jae-myung's preferential treatment allegations in the Daejang-dong development occurred when Lee Nak-yeon actively raised suspicions during the presidential primary. This is why there is keen interest in Lee Jae-myung's position and Lee Nak-yeon's future moves.
In response, some of Lee Jae-myung's staunch supporters expressed hostility by posting petitions on the Democratic Party's member bulletin board demanding "Lee Nak-yeon be expelled from the party." In political circles, Lee Nak-yeon is regarded as a potential alternative to Lee Jae-myung, who is embroiled in judicial risks.
Meanwhile, controversy arose recently when former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won relayed former President Moon Jae-in's remark that "there is no alternative to Lee Jae-myung." Views among pro-Moon figures are divided on this.
Park Soo-hyun, former Blue House spokesperson known as Moon's "mouth," appeared on YTN's "News Frontline" and said, "I don't think President Moon would specifically say, 'There is no alternative presidential candidate other than Lee Jae-myung.'"
On the other hand, Choi Jae-sung, former Blue House political secretary, claimed in an interview with SBS's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show," "I usually don't relay President Moon's words, but since former Director Park said it, I will also convey it," and asserted, "Those words were said."
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