"The People Power Party's Failure to Apologize for the Coup That Destroyed Constitutional Order Is Truly Problematic"
On the 'Hong Joonpyo Hawaii Special Delegation' Question: "It Will Not Be Easy"
Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, criticized former President Yoon Seokyeol's departure from the People Power Party on the 17th, saying, "I think this is a political tactic."
Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is giving a speech appealing for support at a focused campaign rally held on the 17th at the Kim Dae Jung Convention Center plaza in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. Photo by Yonhap News
Meeting with reporters in Gwangju that day, Lee stated, "Former President Yoon should have been expelled by the People Power Party," expressing his view on the matter.
Regarding former President Yoon's statement announcing his intention to leave the party and asking people to support Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate, Lee questioned, "Some within the People Power Party asked him to leave, and he said, 'I'll step aside for a while.' If that's the case, why bother leaving the party at all?"
Lee also noted that about two hours before Yoon declared his departure, Yoon posted on Facebook, "On February 16, I predicted that within 100 days, the People Power Party and its candidate would deny Yoon Seokyeol, and now the signs have begun."
Lee told reporters, "I thought he would leave the party within 100 days, and it seems he did so after 91 days," adding, "I believe this was not out of sincerity, but rather a political tactic."
He continued, "The People Power Party will bow deeply to the public and say, 'We will come to our senses,' and 'We will do better.' The People Power Party has repeatedly betrayed the people and committed serious wrongs that go against popular sovereignty. Each time, they have bowed deeply to the public and promised not to repeat their mistakes, but they have continued to do wrong up to now."
He further argued, "It is truly problematic that the People Power Party leadership is trying to gloss over the issue of a military coup that destroyed the constitutional order with makeshift measures, instead of sincerely and clearly apologizing."
Regarding the People Power Party's formation of a 'Hawaii Special Delegation' composed of party lawmakers to persuade former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo, who is in Hawaii, to join the campaign, Lee said, "I hope it works out, but I think it will probably be difficult."
Lee also commented, "Since the People Power Party has thrown away conservative values like an old shoe, I doubt they can bring back reasonable conservative figures. With their current attitude, it will not be easy."
Referring to former lawmaker Kim Yongnam, who was affiliated with the Saenuri Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party, and declared his support for Lee at the rally, Lee said, "It is a difficult situation for a politician who has tried to realize conservative values with a reasonable conservative stance from within that party."
He added, "I think the Democratic Party must also embrace moderate conservative values, and I will strive to bring as many people together as possible for the sake of broad unity."
Meanwhile, regarding candidate Kim's failure to state his position on including the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in the preamble of the Constitution, Lee urged, "Please recognize that the spirit of May 18 in Gwangju is not just a regional spirit but the spirit of popular sovereignty, and make sure it is included in the preamble of the Constitution."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
