Dangmuwi Reverses Announcement from 'Unanimous Decision → Jeon Hae-cheol's Exit'
"Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jae-myung Factions Must Unite"
Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won evaluated that the initial announcement by Democratic Party spokesperson Kim Eui-gyeom, stating that the party leadership meeting resulted in a unanimous decision to maintain Lee Jae-myung's position as party leader, was correct.
Earlier, on the 23rd, Kim Eui-gyeom, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, revealed in a briefing that Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Hae-cheol abstained and left the meeting, citing procedural issues during the party leadership meeting. This reversed the previous announcement made immediately after the meeting that Lee’s retention as party leader was decided unanimously. This led to controversy over allegations of false reporting by the Democratic Party.
However, former NIS Director Park, drawing from his extensive experience as a spokesperson, assessed that Kim’s announcement was appropriate.
On the same day, Park appeared on YTN Radio’s "News King with Park Ji-hoon" and said, "I hold the record as the longest-serving opposition party spokesperson," adding, "In the past, spokespersons usually say 'unanimously decided' to show unity to the media and the public in such cases. Kim’s announcement was correct."
He continued, "Because it is a sensitive time, if Spokesperson Kim had announced more specifically, there would have been no such issue," but also added, "Lawmaker Jeon is somewhat at fault too. It would be better if senior members let things pass, but he insisted on announcing the abstention and exit." Kim’s reversal announcement was made at Jeon’s request.
Former NIS Director Park also saw some validity in Lawmaker Jeon’s objections during the party leadership meeting. After Lee was indicted at 11 a.m. on the 22nd, the party leadership meeting was convened at 5 p.m. the same day, leaving insufficient time to thoroughly review the indictment.
Park said, "Lawmaker Jeon said, 'Why rush to do it in just six hours? Let’s review the indictment properly,' which is a lawyer-like comment." He explained, "Jeon served as a minister, a senior secretary at the Blue House, and a standing committee chairman in the National Assembly. But as a legal professional, he pointed out procedural flaws and left the meeting. Since leaving means not being included in the vote."
At the same time, Park relayed, "From my communication with citizens, many say, 'If Lee is attacked indiscriminately, we should unite and fight. There is no such thing as anti-Lee (Bi-Lee Jae-myung), pro-Lee (Chin-Lee Jae-myung), or watermelon (a betrayer who is different inside and outside). That should not happen.'" He added, "When the party leadership meeting interpreted Article 80 of the party constitution to decide Lee’s retention, there was a sentiment that 'This time, the Democratic Party did well; this is how it should be done properly.'"
Former NIS Director Park said, "In any case, I advocate that all forces opposing President Yoon Seok-youl?whether crabs or sea snails?should unite. The factions of Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jae-myung should all come together and achieve chemical integration. I have been continuously promoting this."
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