'Pro-Moon' Im Jong-seok Continues Criticism of Lee's Leadership
"Saying Even Persuading Kim Kyung-soo, Kim Dong-yeon, and Kim Boo-kyum Is Not Enough"
Former Presidential Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok sharply criticized pro-Myeong (pro-Lee Jae-myung) figures on the 9th, saying, "Those who flatter the leader (Lee Jae-myung) cannot bring in even one more vote."
Im, a prominent figure considered part of the 'pro-Moon' (pro-Moon Jae-in) faction, wrote on Facebook that "It is good for the party to be lively with criticism and public debate," and added, "Kim Kyung-soo, Kim Dong-yeon, and Kim Boo-kyum should all be persuaded to step up, but personal attacks should be avoided. It is regrettable to see division and sarcasm when trying to take a narrow path."
He pointed out, "Even during the last presidential election, the red light was blinking, but we kept looking forward," adding, "The media and public opinion polls continuously issued warnings, but they were ignored. It was not just a failure to unify the party’s capabilities but a rush to push others away." He also claimed, "At that time, I was asked by the Seoul and Gwangju city party branches to support campaign rallies and gladly agreed, but the presidential campaign team said 'not necessary,' so I could not participate on the ground."
On September 19 last year, Im Jong-seok, the chairman of the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit Preparation Committee, is speaking at the '6th Anniversary Ceremony of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration' held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News
Im also sent a message to Leader Lee. He appealed, "I hope you will demonstrate leadership so that those with different thoughts can have a sense of ownership of the Democratic Party, not just in words." He continued, "I am urging that this time must be different," and added, "I believe that only by fully gathering all the capabilities that united for preventing rebellion and impeachment can a regime change together with the people be possible."
Earlier, on the 6th, Im had strongly spoken to Leader Lee, saying, "If you do not win the hearts of the majority of the people, I hope Lee Jae-myung will have the resolve of 'do or die' to accomplish regime change even if it means sacrificing himself on the altar." He added, "Now, when the presidential election schedule is not yet fixed, is the golden time for the Democratic Party," and said, "Only by achieving a clean regime change without disputes can we quell rebellion and complete impeachment." He also said, "If Lee Jae-myung must be at the center of this, he must become much greater than he is now." While acknowledging, "I know that Leader Lee Jae-myung has recently been striving to become a governing party, a policy party, and a future party," he emphasized, "Lee Jae-myung alone cannot do everything well."
Finally, Im said, "Even if it is not Lee Jae-myung, regime change must remain unwavering," and added, "This is what the people want, and this is how leaders are born." On the 3rd, he had also advised the Democratic Party, saying, "Only by fully accepting that candidate Lee Jae-myung was lacking and that the party’s strategy was absent will the path to victory become visible."
Meanwhile, recently, critical remarks toward Leader Lee from pro-Myeong faction figures have been increasing. Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on the 5th that "The Democratic Party’s overall approval rating will rise only if it fully accepts criticism from former Governor Kim Kyung-soo and former Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok." On the same day, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon emphasized regarding Leader Lee’s pragmatic line, "We must clearly maintain the identity of the values and philosophy we pursue." Former Governor Kim Kyung-soo of South Gyeongsang Province, who applied to rejoin the Democratic Party, said, "It will be difficult for us to win elections without embracing the party members and supporters who have left."
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