Calls for Restraint in Out-of-Parliament Protests for Impeachment
"Both Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung Must Be Cleansed," Lee Nak-yeon Emphasizes
Lee Nak-yeon, a reformist in the pan-opposition camp and a potential opposition leader from the non-Lee Jae-myung faction of the new Future Democratic Party, urged restraint regarding the Democratic Party's out-of-parliament protests calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol, saying, "Suddenly, they start fasting and shaving their heads. Then they make something out of hair and send it to the Constitutional Court. It looks unpleasant." On the morning of the 18th, Lee appeared on Channel A's 'Political Signal' and criticized the Democratic Party, expressing hope that they would focus more on reassuring the public rather than staging protests outside the parliament.
Lee Nak-yeon, a reformist in the broad opposition camp and a potential opposition leader from the non-Lee Jae-myung faction, who serves as the Standing Adviser of the New Future Democratic Party, urged restraint regarding the Democratic Party of Korea's outdoor protests calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol. He said, "Suddenly, they start a hunger strike and shave their heads. Then they make something out of their hair and send it to the Constitutional Court. It looks unpleasant." Photo by Kim Hyun-min
In particular, Lee expressed his stance that "politics should return inside the National Assembly" regarding the clashes between Democratic Party lawmakers and People Power Party lawmakers, who gathered with their respective supporters in the square ahead of the Constitutional Court's impeachment ruling. He pointed out, "There are monumental national tasks at hand, but the political sphere keeps inciting supporters, which only increases confusion," adding, "Impeachment should be left to the Constitutional Court, trials to the judiciary, and the political sphere should focus on its fundamental role, which would benefit the nation."
Regarding the second trial verdict on Lee Jae-myung's violation of the Public Official Election Act scheduled for the 26th, Lee Nak-yeon argued that before an 'early presidential election,' Lee Jae-myung himself needs to send a message requesting a swift conclusion or expedited proceedings of his trial. Lee said, "Since he claims innocence, wouldn't it be better to quickly get a final verdict of not guilty? From a political schedule and public perception standpoint, removing uncertainty by asking for a speedy trial would likely increase his popularity."
On the possibility of a guilty verdict in the second trial, as in the first trial, Lee predicted, "Even if there is internal unrest within the Democratic Party, it will be suppressed." He added, "In times like this, we must unite. We can win. There are various ways to achieve psychological victory." At the same time, he agreed with the idea that the Democratic Party should consider alternatives to Lee Jae-myung, stating, "I think if the Democratic Party fields another candidate, it would be easier to achieve a regime change."
Furthermore, he said, "According to opinion polls, Lee Jae-myung has more people who dislike him than those who like him," and added, "How can you embrace that and run an election? Even if you win, how would you govern the country with that rejection group? If the Democratic Party is a responsible party, it must naturally consider this." However, he also added, "I think they probably won't even consider it and will just proceed as is." Finally, regarding his own presidential candidacy plans, he said, "I am contemplating what path would be most helpful for the country, including whether to run or not, and I will follow that path," reiterating his position that "the politics of both Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung must be cleansed together, and if the Democratic Party presents a good alternative, there is room for cooperation."
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