Lee Cheol-hee: "Former President Park Geun-hye is a patriot... She did not cause national division like Yoon"

"Park Geun-hye Did Not Protest After Constitutional Court's Removal Verdict"

Amid signs of escalating conflict over the impeachment verdict of President Yoon Suk-yeol, former Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Lee Cheol-hee stated, "Former President Park Geun-hye did not divide public opinion. She was a patriotic person."

Lee Cheol-hee, former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs to the Blue House

On the 5th, Lee appeared on JTBC's 'Special Ssuljeon' and said, "Looking back now, former President Park was truly patriotic," adding, "She did not act like (President Yoon). Even if she believed her impeachment would be dismissed, after the Constitutional Court ruled for her removal, she accepted the investigation without complaint and did not divide public opinion."

He continued, "Now President Yoon is turning the country into a mess," and criticized, "The People Power Party should cut ties with him to win elections. They must do so now."

Regarding the People Power Party, he pointed out, "They are moving towards far-right extremism. Their support is declining because they keep attending rallies denying the Constitutional Court and opposing impeachment."

He also said, "When Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, called for moderate conservatism and shifted right, the party should have completely changed its front line. Then they could have naturally shed the image of being far-right, but the current leadership is not showing that kind of leadership."

Meanwhile, as President Yoon's impeachment verdict approaches, protests both for and against impeachment in front of the Constitutional Court are expected to intensify. On the 6th, some online communities posted messages warning of riots if impeachment is upheld. In response, schools near the Constitutional Court are considering safety measures such as discretionary closures on the day of the verdict.