Former Moon Administration Official Lee Nakyeon Announces Sudden Support for Kim Moonsu
"Inevitably Decided to Block the Monster Dictatorship of the Democratic Party"
"Martial Law Had Checks and Balances... Dictatorship Is a Future Fear"
As former Prime Minister Lee Nakyeon expressed his support for Kim Moonsu, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, strong criticism has emerged from the Democratic Party of Korea. In response, Lee stated, "The Democratic Party is not in a position to make such comments." During an interview on YTN Radio's "Shin Yul's News Frontline" on the 28th, Lee explained, "The reason I supported Kim is because there is a possibility that a monstrous dictatorial state could be created by the Democratic Party. To prevent this, I felt it was unavoidable to cast my vote for Kim." He further pointed out, "The Democratic Party should first reflect on why concerns about a monstrous dictatorial state have arisen."
Lee continued, "After the emergency martial law declared by former President Yoon Sukyeol, the Democratic Party played a very important role in a very short period. For example, they led the National Assembly to resolve to lift martial law in just 2 hours and 33 minutes, and also played a leading role in impeaching former President Yoon within four months. These were truly significant actions." However, he added, "The reason the Democratic Party failed to maintain that momentum and instead became a source of concern for the public is because they nominated a candidate who has not resolved any of the twelve criminal allegations against them." He argued, "If the Democratic Party had nominated a candidate without such criminal allegations, there would have been no need to try to control the judiciary, and concerns about dictatorship would not have arisen. In that case, this election could have been much more beautiful and pleasant."
He went on to say, "The reason this election has not focused solely on the 'end of insurrection' as they wanted, and instead concerns about dictatorship have become an equally prominent issue, is because the Democratic Party brought it upon themselves. There has been no reflection on this, nor any effort to reassure the public. Instead, they simply turn anyone who voices such concerns into an enemy. That is all there is to Democratic Party politics." He added, "It is deeply regrettable that politics has become an obstacle to national development. I fear that the misfortune I am concerned about may not end easily."
Lee also shared his views on the so-called "insurrection frame" and "dictatorship frame." He said, "The insurrection frame has already entered the stage of political and legal resolution. The president has been impeached, his subordinates have all been removed from office, and they are all on trial. However, the fear of dictatorship is an ongoing and future challenge that could become a reality in just a week. In this respect, it is natural that concerns about the latter are likely to grow."
He added, "There were checks and balances in place for the emergency martial law. The National Assembly resolved to lift it in 2 hours and 33 minutes, and the president was impeached?these were the mechanisms of control. That is why the insurrection was quickly resolved. However, concerns about dictatorship include the fear that these checks and balances could be paralyzed. If one person were to seize all legislative, executive, and judicial power, the mechanisms of control would be paralyzed."
Lee Nakyeon, Standing Advisor of the New Future Democratic Party, held an emergency press conference on the 27th at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, explaining plans for an electoral alliance with the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News
On the same day that Lee declared his support for Kim, the "Forum Saeijae," a group of former officials from the Moon Jaein administration, decided to expel Lee from his advisory position. The forum stated, "Supporting those responsible for and defending the unconstitutional 12·3 Emergency Martial Law, and expressing the intention to form a joint government with them, is a serious violation of the purpose of Forum Saeijae," adding, "This constitutes grounds for expulsion as stipulated in our bylaws."
At the end of the interview, when the host asked whether he occasionally contacts former President Moon Jaein, Lee replied, "I have hardly been in touch these days. I thought it might make him uncomfortable if I reached out," and added, "(After the election) I will consider the timing."
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