"President Yoon's Pledge to Accept the Verdict Is Important"
Yoo Seung-min, a former member of the People Power Party and a potential presidential candidate, said to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, "Not everyone who goes into politics becomes a criminal suspect like Leader Lee."
On the 19th, Yoo appeared on YTN Radio's "News Fighting, Kim Young-soo" and said, "There are politicians who conduct themselves cleanly and follow the right path." He added, "(Leader Lee) is currently facing five trials and has numerous charges against him," and said, "If the second trial on the Public Official Election Act violation on the 26th upholds the sentence that strips him of his eligibility to run for office, Leader Lee should not run (in the presidential election)." He continued, "Does the Democratic Party really have no one else? He is someone desperate to become president quickly to avoid going to prison, so why should we elect such a person as president? That makes no sense," criticizing him.
Regarding the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-youl, Yoo said, "The most important thing is President Yoon's promise to accept the verdict," calling it "the minimum duty of a president to the people." He also said, "Leader Lee must clearly accept the verdict," adding, "Political leaders must declare that they will accept whatever decision the Constitutional Court makes in order to heal the current division and conflict."
He said, "The official position of the People Power Party is to accept whatever decision comes from the Constitutional Court, and I think that was a good move," adding, "Considering the relationship with President Yoon and public sentiment in the streets, it probably wasn't easy for the People Power Party leadership to publicly promise acceptance." He continued, "Leader Lee demands a swift removal, but 'demanding a swift removal' and 'accepting the Constitutional Court's decision' are very different matters," and said, "Politicians clearly talking about acceptance would help resolve confusion and aid healing."
Yoo also pointed out, "If, after the Constitutional Court's ruling, the People Power Party shows division by firing shots at each other over impeachment support or opposition, how can a conservative party talk about harmony and unity to the people?" He warned, "If we fight among ourselves over impeachment support or opposition, it will be handing over power to Leader Lee."
Regarding the betrayal frame being raised, he said, "In politics, I have only thought about the country and the people, and what is right. This is the price I have paid for consistently speaking according to my conscience." He added, "If I had been seeking position or advancement, I would have flattered more and aligned myself with power. But I am constitutionally unable to do that," and said, "I think the (betrayal) frame is wrong and I do not agree with it."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
