Lee Jae-myung: "Yoon Should Stop the 'Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge' Rumors and Protect Korea's Sovereignty"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly criticized the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and the ruling party over the issue of the 'Fukushima contaminated water discharge.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the 1st, Lee spoke at the 'National Rally to Condemn the Ocean Dumping of Fukushima Contaminated Water' hosted by the Democratic Party of Korea in front of City Hall Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, saying, "Where in the world is there a country that threatens to investigate citizens opposing (the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant) by accusing them of spreading rumors?" He added, "If Japan tries to pollute our sea, shouldn't we proudly say, 'Do not discharge it, let's verify the safety together,' as a sovereign nation?"

Lee continued, "If you are the president, you should take the lead in protecting the nation's sovereignty and say that you will fight on behalf of the people so they do not have to suffer when a neighboring country invades," adding, "The president, government, and ruling party should stop the unnecessary talk about rumors and protect the sovereignty of the Republic of Korea."

He also criticized the government's economic policy. Lee said, "We should not be an irresponsible government that only wants to leave things to the market, but a country that fills the market's shortcomings and empowers the people. I wanted to create such a country, but I failed," he said.

He then addressed the controversy that arose after President Yoon referred to the Moon Jae-in administration as an 'anti-state force' at the Korea Freedom Federation's founding anniversary event on the 28th of last month.

Lee said, "The president is causing anxiety among the people by promoting division and confrontation," and asked, "If the previous government is criticized as an anti-state organization, does that mean the people who supported that government are members of an anti-state organization?"

He added, "The president is becoming frightening," and said, "We have become a country where people self-censor, wondering if they will be harmed if they draw a picture of the president or if they will be subject to a search and seizure if they see a prosecutor."