Cheon Junho "Lee's Meoksanism aims to revive livelihoods... Ruling party still not sober despite crushing election defeat"

"Lee Presents Personal Vision on Livelihood Instead of Criticizing Yoon"

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung emphasized the issue of 'Meoksanism,' a livelihood problem, in his declaration to run for re-election as party leader. Regarding this, Democratic Party lawmaker Cheon Jun-ho said, "He is someone who understands the desperate situation of people's livelihoods" and "he proposed his own vision for it."

Cheon Jun-ho, who served as Lee's chief of staff, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 11th and said, "The core background of emphasizing 'Meoksanism' is to revive the difficult livelihoods and to shift the national policy direction."

Lee Jae-myung, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is declaring his candidacy for party leader at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The day before, Lee declared his intention to run for re-election at the August 18 party convention. At a press conference held at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, he emphasized, "I can say with certainty that nothing is more important than the issue of making a living. 'Meoksanism' must become the only ideology." He did not voice any critical opinions on political issues such as the Special Prosecutor Act proposed by Chae Sang-byeong or the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-youl, nor on the government or ruling party.

Lawmaker Cheon interpreted Lee's emphasis on 'Meoksanism' as an attempt to highlight differences from the ruling party. Currently, within the People Power Party, the controversy over 'ignoring Mrs. Kim Geon-hee's text messages' has emerged as the biggest issue instead of livelihood problems, and debates continue.

He said, "Many citizens seem to be feeling fatigued by political issues right now. Especially since the ruling party suffered a historic defeat in the general election, yet when looking at the ruling party's convention, they do not seem to have come to their senses at all." He added, "The public is likely deeply concerned about how to overcome the national crisis, and they will place their expectations on the opposition party regarding this."

Regarding criticism within the party about the loss of diversity following Democratic Party lawmaker Kwak Sang-eon’s voluntary resignation from his position as deputy floor leader, he said, "It was a matter decided through a discussion process and adopted as the party's official stance. Expressing differing opinions on the party line is another issue." Previously, Kwak had abstained from voting on some items of the 'impeachment motion against four prosecutors,' which was adopted as the party line, and was subsequently criticized by strong pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae-myung) supporters.