Lee Raekyung: "The term 'self-destruction' for Cheonanham was excessive... 'Cause unknown' is my position"

Statement Delivered Through a Press Release After Two Days

Since resigning from the position of Innovation Committee Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea just nine hours after his appointment due to controversy over extreme remarks, Lee Rae-gyeong, Honorary Director of Other Hundred Years, has expressed that his past use of the term 'Cheonanham self-destruction' was somewhat excessive.

In a statement sent to Yonhap News on the 7th, Director Lee said, "Using the term 'self-destruction' was an excessive expression made impulsively by me, a businessman rather than an expert. My accurate position is that it is an 'unidentified cause incident.'"

Director Lee had previously posted on Facebook in February, when a Chinese reconnaissance balloon was shot down over U.S. airspace, saying, "The U.S. hegemonic forces, who fabricated the self-destruction of the Cheonanham incident and ruined inter-Korean relations, have this time exaggerated a weather-measuring flying device that went off course as a national threat."

In response, former Cheonanham Captain Choi Won-il strongly opposed this, demanding that Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, who appointed Director Lee as Innovation Committee Chair, dismiss him from the position.

Lee Raekyung, Honorary Chairman of Other Hundred Years, expressed that the term "Cheonanham self-destruction" he used in the past was somewhat excessive.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In his statement, Director Lee said, "I should have said 'the U.S. hegemonic forces that concluded the unidentified Cheonanham incident as a North Korean torpedo attack.'" He added, "When a dialogue atmosphere was formed between the U.S. and China, the hawks and neocons in the U.S. shot down the flying device to steer public opinion toward 'anti-China,' which I was pointing out."

He further explained, "This was meant to remind that it is similar to how the Cheonanham incident was concluded as a North Korean torpedo attack, leading to the implementation of the May 24 measures, the eventual closure of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, and the irreparable state of inter-Korean relations." He stated, "My usual belief is that the Cheonanham incident needs to be re-examined to restore inter-Korean relations."

Democratic Party’s Kwon Chil-seung Apologizes Two Days After Saying "What a Nerve" to Former Captain Choi Won-il

Senior Spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung of the Democratic Party of Korea
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Kwon Chil-seung, Senior Spokesperson of the Democratic Party, apologized on the 7th regarding the controversy over his remarks about former Cheonanham Captain Choi Won-il.

This came two days after Kwon caused a stir by making remarks such as "What a nerve" and "It's outrageous to have killed all your subordinates" directed at former Captain Choi while explaining Lee Rae-gyeong’s 'Cheonanham self-destruction' comment on the 5th.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Office that morning, Senior Spokesperson Kwon bowed his head and said, "I deeply regret using inappropriate expressions as a spokesperson of a public party, and I sincerely apologize to the families of the Cheonanham soldiers and all those who were hurt emotionally."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said on the same day regarding the controversy over Lee Rae-gyeong’s resignation, "It is the role of the party leader to take full responsibility for the outcome."

At a meeting with reporters at the National Assembly, Lee said, "Whether or not internal discussions were sufficiently held, as the party leader who holds authority, I fully discuss and handle such matters."

However, Lee did not respond to questions such as "In what way do you intend to take responsibility?", "Do you plan to apologize?", "Are you referring to the issue of resignation?", or "Will there be any measures taken against Senior Spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung?"