Yoo In-tae: "Lee Jae-myung has committed many sins... Ultimately, without trust, one cannot stand up"

Senior Opposition Figure Yoo In-tae Criticizes Lee Jae-myung
Stresses 'Unity' as Key Issue for Next Presidential Election
"Lee Jae-myung Now Stands Alone as the Most Disliked Politician After Yoon's Exit"

Yoo In-tae, a senior figure in the opposition, and former Secretary-General of the National Assembly, emphasized unity as the key issue for the upcoming presidential election and criticized Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "He has committed many wrongdoings so far." On the 13th, in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Yoo said, "Political polarization is severe, so no matter who takes power in this election, and regardless of the Constitutional Court's ruling, it will be very chaotic."

He stressed, "Simply shouting 'let's unite' will not work; what matters is how persuasively the public is convinced and how well promises related to institutional reforms, such as electoral district systems or constitutional amendments, are kept."

Former Secretary General of the National Assembly Yuin-tae. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

When the host asked, "Isn't the recent series of meetings scheduled with non-mainstream presidential candidates like former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum part of a unification effort?" Yoo responded, "It depends on Lee Jae-myung," and pointed out, "Hasn't he committed many wrongdoings so far? How harsh was the nomination process in the last general election?" He added, "He has lost so much trust that he is the most disliked politician, isn't he? Originally, he was similar to President Yoon Seok-youl, but now that one person is gone, he has become the uniquely disliked politician."

Regarding the meeting between Lee and former Governor Kim, Yoo said, "No matter whom you meet or what policies you discuss now, ultimately, it comes down to mu-shin-bul-rip (無信不立, meaning 'without trust, nothing can stand')," and added, "I don't know if trust can be restored in a short time." Earlier, former Governor Kim wrote on social media on the 29th of last month, "Many people felt humiliated during the local and general elections after the 2022 presidential election and have distanced themselves or left the party," and added, "We must sincerely apologize and make it possible for them to return willingly."

Among the People Power Party's presidential candidates, Yoo paid attention to former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min. Yoo In-tae said, "Actually, the person to watch is former floor leader Yoo Seung-min," and added, "Although his chances of becoming a candidate are somewhat low, if he becomes a candidate, his expansion potential would be the most overwhelming compared to other candidates." When the host asked, "Who would be the most competitive ruling party candidate in a one-on-one match against Lee Jae-myung in the general election?" Yoo answered, "That would be Yoo Seung-min," but also said, "That camp keeps moving further to the right, so I wonder if the party's supporters currently have the insight for that."

Regarding the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial of President Yoon, Yoo said, "I believe it will be unanimously accepted," and added, "Would any justice want to turn their descendants into descendants of Lee Wan-yong? There won't be any such justice." Criticizing President Yoon's defense at the Constitutional Court, he said, "During the last general election, Cho Kuk said he would 'restore honor through non-legal means,' and I thought, 'What does that mean? That's strange,' but now, isn't President Yoon's approach to the Constitutional Court borrowing that 'non-legal means of restoring honor'?"