'Pro-Moon Forum' Forum Saejae Expels Lee Nakyon
Kim Minseok: "Shows the End of a Sakura Politician"
On May 27, the Democratic Party of Korea fiercely criticized Lee Nakyon, Standing Advisor of the New Future Democratic Party, who declared his support for Kim Moonsu, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, calling it "a betrayal and an act of treason against the Democratic Party members and the people who nurtured him."
Lee Nakyon, Standing Advisor of the New Future Democratic Party, is taking questions from reporters after an emergency press conference at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News
Park Kyungmi, spokesperson for the Democratic Party's Central Election Committee, stated during a briefing at the party headquarters in Yeouido on the same day, "Although he has left the party, it is shocking that he has abandoned even his beliefs and conscience to collude with forces of rebellion."
Spokesperson Park added, "This Standing Advisor, who is spreading baseless slander and curses against presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung and the Democratic Party, is truly a monster," and continued, "If selling one's beliefs and conscience for the sake of power does not make someone a monster, then what does?"
She further stated, "It is truly shameless to see him justify his rebellious nature with all sorts of sophistry," and warned, "The collusion between those who have betrayed the people by following rebellion and those who have betrayed democracy by pretending to be democrats will face the harsh judgment of the people and history."
Kim Minseok, Standing Co-Chairperson of the Democratic Party's Election Committee, also spoke to reporters on the same day, saying, "They say candidate Kim Moonsu and this Standing Advisor have declared to join forces; it reminds me that history is both a comedy and a tragedy," and criticized, "This shows the ultimate end of a 'Sakura' (a term for a turncoat politician)."
He continued, "Seeing the two together, the phrase 'Gongdodongmang' (共倒同亡, falling and perishing together) came to mind," and sharply commented, "It is an alliance doomed to fail because it is anti-constitutional, a losing alliance."
Representative Park Jie-won wrote on his social media, "The past, present, and future of this Standing Advisor are completely burning away. Could it really be President Kim Moonsu of a joint government, with Lee Nakyon as Prime Minister?"
Representative Yoon Kunyoung stated, "Such actions by former Prime Minister Lee are an insult to former President Moon Jae-in. There was no consultation whatsoever with former President Moon, who is currently in Pyeongsan. On the contrary, former President Moon has expressed deep concern regarding former Prime Minister Lee's recent actions."
Kim Sunmin, acting leader of the Innovation Party, also criticized in a message distributed to the press on the same day, "Former President Kim Dae-jung brought him into politics, he served as spokesperson for President-elect Roh Moo-hyun, and former President Moon Jae-in appointed him as Prime Minister, yet former Prime Minister Lee Nakyon is now siding with the forces of rebellion."
Yoon Jaegwan, spokesperson for the Reform Party, also issued a statement, saying, "Mr. Lee Nakyon has finally boarded the train of rebellion accomplices," and added, "He has removed his own political life support. I predict he will spend the rest of his life as the youngest member, cleaning up after the forces of rebellion."
The policy research group 'Forum Saejae', composed of former officials from the Moon Jae-in administration, held an emergency board meeting immediately after this Standing Advisor's declaration of support for candidate Kim and decided to expel him. This Standing Advisor has served as an advisor to Forum Saejae alongside former Prime Ministers Kim Bu-gyeom and Chung Sye-kyun.
In a press release, Forum Saejae explained, "Forum Saejae is a policy forum with the purpose of inheriting and developing the values and achievements of the Moon Jae-in administration while reflecting on its limitations," and continued, "Former Prime Minister Lee announced his support for candidate Kim and agreement to form a joint government. Supporting those responsible for the anti-constitutional 12·3 Martial Law, endorsing those who defend it, and agreeing to form a joint government with them seriously violate the purpose of Forum Saejae and constitute grounds for expulsion as stipulated in our bylaws."
Earlier on the same day, this Standing Advisor held a press conference and declared his support for candidate Kim, stating, "I will help prevent a monstrous dictatorship and support the 7th Republic."
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