Democratic Party Defends Lee Jae-myung's 'Pet Dog Remarks'... "Quoted Academic Terms, Was Arguing"

Regarding Lee Jae-myung's remark referring to the media as 'pets,' the Democratic Party of Korea explained that he used the term 'lap dog,' which is commonly used in media studies. The People Power Party pointed out that "he instinctively realized that the arrow was aimed at himself."

Lee Hae-sik, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, said on the 17th after the Supreme Council meeting, "I would like to address Lee's pet remark," adding, "Among legal reporters, it was generally believed that it would be difficult to indict or prosecute the party leader in the Ssangbangwool case. Nevertheless, the prosecution shamelessly indicted the party leader, and the media merely copied this without pointing out the problems. In response to this behavior, Lee cited the officially recognized terms 'watchdog' and 'lap dog,' widely accepted in media studies, to defend himself."

Earlier, on the 14th, while making a statement in front of the Seoul Central District Court, Lee said, "When a state power agency like the prosecution fabricates a case and provides false information, the media diligently copies it and manipulates it, but even when objective facts contradict this, the media shows no interest." He continued, "Why is the media protected as the fourth estate, on par with the legislative, judicial, and executive branches? It is because you report the truth and function to restrain the abuse of power by state agencies, which is why you are protected and respected by the constitution and laws." He then criticized, "Instead of reporting the truth, aren't you distorting and manipulating the information you receive like the prosecution's pet? Why should you be protected? Because of such wrongful attitudes that deviate from the media's original role, democracy in this country is being damaged, and the truth is sinking into the sea."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

No Jong-myeon, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, also appeared on a YouTube broadcast and said, "(Lee's remark) did not refer to the entire media or all journalists," adding, "He listed problematic reporting cases and judged that such behavior could be called 'pets.'" Regarding 'lap dog,' No said, "It is used in schools, media studies, and widely by political sociologists."

The ruling party is pushing back against the disparagement of the media as pets. Yoon Hee-seok, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized, "Lee's behavior, which shatters the rule of law, tries to tame the media, and uses power to avoid imprisonment, only resembles a typical criminal."

Key figures in the People Power Party also criticized the remarks. Ahn Cheol-soo called it an "insult to the people" on social media, Na Kyung-won described it as a "dress rehearsal for dictatorship," and former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min condemned it as "gangster-like abusive language."

Within the ruling party, there are criticisms that Lee resorted to an excessive move as he was cornered. Kang Seung-gyu, a People Power Party lawmaker, said on BBS Radio that day, "He instinctively senses that various arrows from the judiciary are aimed at him. Therefore, it is seen as sending a signal to his fandom, such as the 'Gaeddal' (dog daughters)." Regarding the impeachment signature campaign against the judge who sentenced Lee Hwa-young, former Gyeonggi Province Peace Deputy Governor, guilty in connection with the North Korea remittance suspicion, Kang lamented, "Isn't this fundamentally shaking the separation of powers system?" Kang pointed out, "Monopolizing parliamentary standing committees to shield Lee Jae-myung, the protection by the Gaeddal, and lawmakers are all desperately trying to protect Lee Jae-myung."