Kim Youngrok: "Let Us Erase the Name Lee Nakyeon from Honam"
Jung Jinwook Criticizes: "A Politician Who Has Forgotten His Roots... It Is Regrettable"
Park Jiwon Mocks: "President Kim Moonsoo and Prime Minister Lee Nakyeon"
Min Hyungbae's Sharp Words: "He Has Become a Monster Siding with Insurrection"
Kim Won: "How Will He Face President Kim Daejung After Death?"
On May 27, Lee Nakyeon, standing advisor of the New Future Democratic Party, officially formed a political alliance with Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party. In response, political circles in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions have continued to voice strong criticism.
Jung Jinwook, a member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Gwangju Dongnam-gap), told Asia Economy, "I don't know if it is right for someone who has represented Honam and received so much support to betray us like this," adding, "He was in the Democratic Party, but he was not a true Democrat, and although he is from Honam, he no longer seems to be a true Honam person. He has forgotten his roots."
He continued, "It is deeply regrettable. I never expected he would go this far," and emphasized, "I believe this decision was possible because he views politics as a personal matter. Politics is about making promises to local residents and engaging with history and dialogue, so this judgment is truly shocking."
A banner criticizing the political actions of Lee Nakyeon, the standing advisor of the New Future Democratic Party, installed on a bulletin board in front of a village in Baeksu-eup, Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Sim Jinseok
Park Jie-won, a Democratic Party lawmaker (representing Haenam, Wando, and Jindo in Jeonnam), also wrote on his Facebook page that day, "I am appalled by reports that Lee Nakyeon, who served as a lawmaker, provincial governor, prime minister, and party leader in the Democratic Party and is now the standing advisor of the New Future Democratic Party, has agreed to form a coalition government with Kim Moonsoo, a candidate representing the forces of insurrection, using constitutional amendment as a pretext," and sarcastically added, "Today, Yoon Sanghyun, a close ally of Yoon Sukyeol, was announced as the joint campaign chair for Kim Moonsoo. Now Lee Nakyeon is joining him. Could it be a joint government with President Kim Moonsoo and Prime Minister Lee Nakyeon? Hahaha."
There have also been repeated claims that Lee's latest move amounts to siding with the forces of insurrection.
Kim Youngrok, governor of Jeollanam-do, stated, "It is said that Lee Nakyeon is cooperating with the People Power Party to form a coalition government and push for constitutional amendment," adding, "After repeatedly transforming himself, he has crossed the point of no return and ultimately chosen a path that leads off a cliff. Let us erase the name Lee Nakyeon from Honam."
He continued, "It was only recently that he inflicted an unforgettable sense of betrayal on Honam by attempting to unify with Han Ducksoo, who acted as an agent for insurrection. Now, he has become the head of a coalition government with the forces of insurrection," adding, "I do not understand how long he intends to disappoint and anger the people of Jeonnam. It is shameful and heartbreaking that someone who served as both Jeonnam governor and prime minister within the Democratic Party and Honam community has come to this."
Min Hyungbae, a Democratic Party lawmaker (representing Gwangsan-gu-eul in Gwangju), also commented, "Lee Nakyeon once said we should stop the monstrous dictatorship, but he seems unaware that he himself is becoming the monster," adding, "His alliance with Kim Moonsoo is a declaration that he will walk the same path as the forces of pro-coup, insurrection, and constitutional destruction."
He further criticized, "Mr. Lee Nakyeon, perhaps you should return to your hometown, stop seeking connections, and take a rest."
Kim Won, a lawmaker representing Mokpo in Jeonnam, expressed his anger, saying, "Mr. Lee Nakyeon has finally crossed a line that should never be crossed," and "To support Kim Moonsoo, the avatar of insurrection leader Yoon Sukyeol, is ultimately to support insurrection."
He continued, "How could someone who received the greatest love from the Democratic Party and Honam now side with the 12·12 military insurrection? What greater betrayal could there be?" and added, "After death, how will he face the late President Kim Daejung, who discovered him? Fortunately, it is clear that the only vote going to Kim Moonsoo will be Lee Nakyeon's own."
A local political figure commented on Lee Nakyeon's latest move, saying, "Currently, Lee Nakyeon has almost no influence in the Honam region. The same applies to his alliance with Kim Moonsoo," and added, "However, it seems he has dealt another major blow to the local people. I do not understand why he is going this far."
Meanwhile, on this day, Lee Nakyeon held an emergency press conference at the party headquarters in Yeouido, where he described the election of Democratic Party candidate Lee Jaemyung as the 'emergence of a monstrous dictatorship,' and announced, "I have reached a principled agreement with Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate, to prepare for the Seventh Republic."
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