Park Jiwon: "The Fate of a Political Betrayer Is Harsher Than That of a Social Outcast"

Direct Criticism of Lee Nakyon for Betraying Honam Public Sentiment

Park Jiwon, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker representing Haenam, Wando, and Jindo in South Jeolla Province, delivered strong criticism, stating that public sentiment in the Honam region has turned sharply against former Democratic Party leader Lee Nakyon.

On May 27, Park shared on his Facebook page, "While campaigning at the Danyang-eup five-day market, which is Lee Nakyon's former constituency, a local resident said, 'Lee Nakyon is not even a human being,'" relaying the atmosphere at the scene. Lee Gaeho, the lawmaker who succeeded Lee Nakyon in representing the constituency of Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, and Jangseong, was also present at the campaign event.

Park Jiwon, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker

Park continued, "Even during last year's Yeonggwang County mayoral by-election, when I served as the chief campaign committee chair, local residents went so far as to say, 'Don't even mention Lee Nakyon.' This shows that public sentiment in Honam had already turned away from him," he argued.

He also stated, "A year ago, in the general election, when Lee Nakyon challenged Min Hyungbae, a close confidant of party leader Lee Jaemyung, in Gwangsan-eul, Gwangju, and suffered a crushing defeat, citizens said, 'Lee Nakyon can't even set foot in Gwangju.' The fate of a political betrayer is harsher than that of a social outcast," he sharply criticized.

Park also shared the atmosphere at other campaign sites that day, including the Damyang all-weather gateball stadium and the cafeteria at the Gwangju advanced industrial complex headquarters. "At the gateball tournament, people quietly called out 'Lee Jaemyung's' name, and in the cafeteria, applause erupted in response to the chant 'Applause for Lee Jaemyung,'" he said. In contrast, he added that open profanity was directed at Lee Nakyon.

Additionally, he mocked the speculation of an alliance between candidate Kim Moonsu and Lee Nakyon, as well as the fact that lawmaker Yoon Sanghyun joined Kim's campaign as a co-chair, by asking, "Because of Lee Nakyon and Yoon Sanghyun, how many percentage points will Kim Moonsu's approval rating drop?" In conclusion, Park emphasized his support for Democratic Party leader Lee Jaemyung, declaring, "Now is the time for Lee Jaemyung."