Junseok Lee Criticizes Yoon Sukyeol's Departure from People Power Party: "Martial Law Sin Remains... Disgusted by Talk of Rule of Law"

"The Main Culprit Who Caused Disaster with Election Fraud Delusions"
"Kim Moonsoo Shares Responsibility and Should Step Down with Yoon"

Reform New Party presidential candidate Junseok Lee on May 17 criticized former President Yoon Sukyeol's voluntary departure from the People Power Party, stating, "Resigning from the party cannot erase the original sin of the 12·3 Martial Law."

On this day, Lee wrote on his social networking service (SNS) Facebook, "It is disgusting that the very person who caused this disaster by falling into delusions about election fraud is now talking about freedom, rule of law, sovereignty, happiness, and security."

Reform New Party presidential candidate Junseok Lee is appealing for support at Cheonan Central Market in Chungnam on the 16th. Photo by Yonhap News

Lee also stated, "Leaving the party cannot hide the outdated perception of People Power Party candidate Kim Moonsoo, who compared the Constitutional Court's impeachment decision to Kim Jong-un's dictatorship," adding, "A candidate who shares joint responsibility should step down together with Yoon Sukyeol. That will mark the true starting point for a genuine contest between Junseok Lee and Jaemyung Lee."

Kim Daehyun, spokesperson for the Reform New Party’s election committee, also commented, "His message about leaving the party contained neither any reflection on the 12·3 Martial Law conspiracy that trampled on democracy, nor a sincere apology to the people," and criticized, "He shamelessly and cowardly escaped, refusing to take responsibility for the destruction of constitutional order that he himself caused."

He continued, "This is not a resignation but a political flight, and yet another insult to democracy," and added, "Supporting Kim Moonsoo is essentially a declaration of willingness to support the revival of Yoon Sukyeol and an outrageous act of permitting a return of the 12·3 Martial Law regime."

Earlier on the same day, former President Yoon announced on Facebook, "Today, I am leaving the People Power Party," and said, "Although I am leaving the party, I will serve on the front lines to defend freedom and sovereignty."