A Rebuttal to Park Ji-won’s “Crazy Talk” Remark
Repeatedly Emphasizes the Need for a Candidate Other Than Lee Jae-myung
Lee Nak-yeon, Standing Advisor of the New Future Democratic Party, repeatedly emphasized that the call for the joint liquidation of President Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, reflects the will of the people. In response to Park Ji-won, a Democratic Party lawmaker who criticized him as "crazy talk," Lee retorted, "Let's ask the people whose mind is healthier."
In a post on his Facebook on the 22nd, Lee said, "The reason I appeal to the people for the 'joint liquidation of Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung politics' is clear. It is because that is the will of many people," adding, "Politics that condone crime will sink the Republic of Korea."
Targeting President Yoon, he criticized, "Politics that receive support from extremist forces and even defend the declaration of martial law is a crime that disregards the Republic of Korea, which has already entered the ranks of advanced countries, and its people." Regarding Lee Jae-myung, he pointed out, "Politics that decide to suspend many trials and defer judicial risks make countless law-abiding citizens, who live by the law, and those who are punished and disadvantaged for minor mistakes, fools and paralyze the rule of law."
He continued, "There is someone who called my concerns 'crazy talk.' That person openly declares that Lee Jae-myung is better than President Kim Dae-jung," and wrote, "Let's ask the people whose mind is healthier."
This was a direct response to Park Ji-won’s remarks during an interview with Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS) radio on the 21st, where Park said about Lee Nak-yeon, "You have to shoot forward with the muzzle, but if you keep shooting sideways, how can we go together?" and "Seeing that he still talks crazy, the Democratic Party cannot carry him. Restructuring is necessary."
Lee Nak-yeon questioned, "A survey showed that 31% of people in Gwangju and Jeonnam think a candidate other than Lee Jae-myung is needed," and asked, "Do you believe those people are crazy too?"
He also drew a line, saying, "I heard that there is talk about what to do after leaving the Democratic Party. If the Democratic Party puts forward a good candidate, naturally there will be room for cooperation, but if they have decided to go as they are, then stop worrying unnecessarily about me," adding, "I have no desire to undergo the 'judgment' of those who have made up their minds like that."
He sharply urged Democratic Party lawmakers to "think of the country first."
In a keynote speech at the '7th Republic National Forum with the People' held in Gwangju on the 10th, Lee said, "The joint liquidation of Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung politics is becoming the spirit of the times." On the 19th, he appeared on KBC's 'Yeouido Invitation' and reiterated, "The spirit of the next presidential election is integration and stability," emphasizing again, "The liquidation of Yoon Seok-yeol (President) and Lee Jae-myung (Democratic Party leader) politics."
With the final hearing date for the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol set for the 25th, the possibility of an early presidential election is increasing, and fierce competition is expected among potential candidates in the opposition camp.
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