Rebuttal to Lee Jaemyung's Remarks on Party Direction
Platform Must Undergo Sufficient Discussion and Consensus
Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum criticized the statement by Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, that "we are not progressive," calling it "undemocratic and ahistorical."
On the same day, Kim introduced Lee's remarks through social media (SNS) and criticized, "It is difficult to understand why the progressive-conservative debate is being brought up at this critical time." He also pointed out, "It is an overreach to unilaterally define the identity of our Democratic Party, which has a long history."
The day before, Lee appeared on a YouTube channel and said, "We are not progressive," "Going forward, the Democratic Party should take on the center-right and conservative positions," and "The progressive camp needs to be newly established."
Former Prime Minister Kim emphasized the progressive spirit as the guiding principle of the Democratic Party by listing the aspirations of past party leaders. He said, "The Democratic Party is a party that inherits the spirit of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun," adding, "It is a party with a proud 70-year tradition. President Kim Dae-jung described the Democratic Party as 'a party for the middle class and ordinary people,' and President Roh Moo-hyun said, 'The last bastion of democracy is the organized power of citizens.'" He continued, "The Democratic Party's platform explicitly states that it 'represents the ordinary people and the middle class.' The platform is the party's history and spirit. It must be subject to sufficient discussion and agreement."
Targeting Lee, former Prime Minister Kim remarked, "How do you think the hearts of our party members and supporters, who have respected progressive values and led and supported the Democratic Party, would feel?"
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