Lee Nakyon: "I Will Neither Run for President Nor Support Any Candidate"
Criticizes the Democratic Party: "A Preview of a Monstrous State"
On the People Power Party: "They Still Haven't Come to Their Senses"
Lee Nakyon, former Prime Minister and senior advisor of the Sae Mirae Democratic Party, has officially announced that he will not run in the 21st presidential election.
On May 10, Lee stated on his Facebook page, "After much deliberation, I have decided not to run in this presidential election," adding, "I will also not support any other candidate's campaign."
Lee said, "I have tried in my own way to offer even a small help in restoring South Korea to a normal state," and continued, "However, I have come to realize that, in this era of madness where the two main parties are driven to extremes and chaos, there is little I can achieve through the election."
He added, "However, as I have done so far, I will continue to warn about the crises facing South Korea and propose alternatives such as constitutional amendments," and declared, "Even if I am alone, I will continue to speak out for justice for the nation until my last day."
He also apologized to his supporters, saying, "I am sorry to everyone who had hopes for me and waited for my candidacy," and asked, "Please accept my sincere deliberation and intentions."
Lee did not forget to criticize the Democratic Party of Korea, stating, "This is what the emerging monstrous state looks like." He pointed out, "If those in power are found guilty, even the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is not spared," and added, "When political power threatens, the judiciary succumbs."
He further stated, "They are planning to increase the number of Supreme Court justices from 14 to as many as 100, turning the Supreme Court into a stage for populism manipulated by those in power," and warned, "The Constitutional Court could even become a higher authority above the Supreme Court."
He went on to say, "Lies by politicians are widely tolerated, and even if a politician commits a crime, there will be ways to evade responsibility," and added, "If a criminal defendant runs for president, the trial will be postponed, and if elected president, any guilty verdict will be suspended throughout the term."
He emphasized, "Such grotesque developments are actually taking place within the major party, the Democratic Party of Korea," and stressed, "Yet, not a single member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party is raising any objections."
Lee stated, "The Democratic Party has abandoned the path of regime change to uphold the rule of law and has chosen to destroy it," and asserted, "As a result of that choice, we are now seeing a preview of a monstrous state."
Regarding the People Power Party, which is experiencing internal strife over candidate unification, he said, "They still have not come to their senses," and added, "I have nothing to say."
Lee concluded, "Now the fate of South Korea is in the hands of the people," and appealed to voters, "I sincerely hope that our generation does not leave behind a monstrous state for future generations."
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