One Week Until the June 3 Presidential Election...
All Eyes on the Last-Minute "Big Tent"
Kim Sanghoon: "Lee Nakyeon Was First to Raise Daejang-dong Allegations"
Lee Nakyeon: "The Shadow of One-Man Long-Term Rule Is Dangerous"
With just one week remaining until the June 3 presidential election, there is growing speculation in political circles that a surprise meeting could take place between Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and former Prime Minister Lee Nakyeon. On May 26, Kim Sanghoon, a lawmaker who serves as the head of policy headquarters for the People Power Party's central election committee, said in an interview with YTN Radio's "Shin Yul's News Frontline" that "there is certainly a possibility" of such a meeting. He argued, "Former Prime Minister Lee was the first to raise the Daejang-dong allegations against Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party candidate, and thus shares the view that Lee Jaemyung should not become president."
Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and Kim Sanghoon, head of policy headquarters. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Kim Sanghoon added, "If you consider former Prime Minister Lee's willingness to form a coalition government centered around constitutional reform, there is ample possibility for an alliance." He continued, "Kim Moonsoo has pledged to completely abolish the president's immunity from prosecution, while Lee Jaemyung has proposed a bill to suspend trials involving the president during their term in office. From former Prime Minister Lee's perspective, he would support Kim Moonsoo's sincerity regarding political reform."
Previously, on May 24, Channel A reported that "Kim Moonsoo's camp has been in contact with non-mainstream Democratic Party figures with ten days left before the election," adding, "They are also hoping for a meeting with former Prime Minister Lee." It is known that Lee Nakyeon returned to Korea on May 25 after spending some time abroad, and there was speculation that a meeting with Kim Moonsoo could take place that day. However, it appears that the meeting did not actually occur.
Meanwhile, on May 26, former Prime Minister Lee stated on social media, "I have previously diagnosed that the Republic of Korea is heading toward becoming a monster state," and appealed, "I have urged the public to prevent the emergence of a monster state in which one person seizes not only legislative power but also executive and judicial power." He continued, "Lee Jaemyung has declared that neither he nor his family commit corruption. Despite having several criminal records and facing five trials, including a conviction by the Supreme Court, he still makes such claims. It sounds as if he denies past verdicts against himself and seeks to define or even eliminate future trials. Perhaps he sees himself and his family as 'infallible beings.' This is a trait rarely found in the leaders of democratic nations," Lee pointed out.
He went on to say, "Moves to dominate the judiciary and the shadow of one-man long-term rule are a real threat to democracy," adding, "This is all the more dangerous because it involves the leading candidate and those around him." He criticized, "Nevertheless, the Democratic Party has lost its ability to provide checks and balances, and the People Power Party is still not coming to its senses."
He further appealed, "Progressivism without restraint becomes tyranny, and conservatism without alternatives is merely incompetence. In the end, it is the people who open the way. The people must prevent tyranny and protect democracy." While he criticized both major parties, his concerns about Lee Jaemyung were particularly pronounced.
Earlier, on May 20, Kim Yongtae, chairman of the People Power Party's emergency committee, met with Jeon Byunghun, leader of the New Future Democratic Party, and agreed to continue consultations to block Lee Jaemyung and pursue constitutional reform for the Seventh Republic. As a result, there is growing attention on whether former Prime Minister Lee will join the so-called "anti-Lee Jaemyung big tent" coalition in the final days of the election campaign.
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