Im Jong-seok: "Centrist Conservative Lee Jae-myung Seems Uncomfortable Being Perceived as Progressive"

"Rightward Shift Is Not the Answer... It's an Obsession"
"Premature Claims Only Cause Discord"

Im Jong-seok, former Chief of Staff to the President, said that the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is not a "centrist conservative" party, in response to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the DPK, defining the party as such.

Im Jong-seok, former Chief of Staff to the President.

On the 21st, Im posted on social media (SNS), "If we accept this (declaration of being a centrist conservative party), we may have to back down on numerous agendas in the future," adding, "This goes beyond pragmatism and is an issue that the leader cannot change recklessly."

Im stated, "How can the Democratic Party, which has emphasized human rights and peace, democracy, a balance between growth and welfare, and an active government role rather than market laissez-faire, be a centrist conservative party?" He pointed out, "If it is time to focus on impeachment and regime change, then let's do so. Premature claims only cause discord." He also expressed concern that such remarks could make future alliances with the progressive camp difficult.

He continued, "Everyone wants to win over the centrist and reasonable conservative voters, but it cannot be solved simply by a rightward shift." He also said, "It seems that Lee feels uncomfortable being perceived as left-wing or progressive, which is not true. That discomfort seems to create an obsession with shifting right, but a rightward shift is not the answer."

Evaluating that "what the DPK leadership needs now is trust and stability," he demanded, "Show the will and ability to overcome the national crisis and unify a divided society."

Lee has previously criticized the center by saying, "If you lose your identity and waver ambiguously, you will rather be suspected," and "(the center) is a shield to conceal corrupt vested interests." Recently, with early presidential elections in mind, he has emphasized growth and made a policy 'rightward shift.' On the 19th, he said, "The Democratic Party was originally not a progressive party. It is a centrist and conservative party that values growth." The day before, he also said, "We are not progressive; we have a centrist and conservative position."

The People Power Party (PPP) immediately expressed outrage. Floor leader Kwon Seong-dong criticized, "The centrist conservatism Lee mentioned is essentially a 'two-faced political fraud,' and pragmatism is 'opportunism with one foot in each camp,'" adding, "He only has election engineering in mind and does not care about the future of the people." Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo evaluated, "If Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party is a centrist conservative party, then even flies exist in Paris." Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong shared a screenshot of a post Lee made on November 27, 2016, when he was mayor of Seongnam, titled "Don't be fooled by the centrist frame. Lee Jae-myung does not do centrist cosplay."