Criticism of Investigation Orders in Customs Drug Probe
"Shows the Same Impatience and Loneliness as Yoon"
Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, strongly criticized President Lee Jaemyung by comparing him to former President Yoon Sukyeol regarding the controversy over alleged external pressure on customs drug investigations, specifically concerning Lee's issuance of concrete investigative directives. On the 12th, Lee wrote on social media, "During the 2022 presidential election, some young people gave President Yoon Sukyeol the nickname 'Lee Jaemyung who doesn't give out money.' In other words, President Lee Jaemyung is 'Yoon Sukyeol who gives out money.' Both of them seem like the type who would curse when angry and have a hard time letting go of grudges."
Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, is giving an interview on the "Asia Economy Current Affairs Show" at the National Assembly on August 5. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
He continued, "Back when Twitter (now X) was popular, President Lee Jaemyung used to issue work instructions to his subordinates via Twitter, calling it 'communicative administration' and putting on a show. Even as president, he is giving similar instructions to Prime Minister Kim Minseok. While it is called communication, it actually ignores administrative procedures and constitutes illegal administration."
He further stated, "When President Lee was under investigation, he stamped documents here and there but claimed he was not at fault. This was because he completely failed to understand the responsibility and procedural significance attached to those stamps. If the president now bypasses procedures and directly instructs Prosecutor Im Eunjeong to lead specific investigations, this is a clear violation of Article 8 of the Prosecutors' Office Act-direct intervention in investigations without going through the Minister of Justice." Lee Junseok also commented, "I once described President Yoon Sukyeol's psychological state as 'loneliness.' President Lee is now walking a similar path. The problems visible in President Lee also stem from loneliness and impatience."
Warning President Lee against opportunism, he said, "Instead of dumping 'difficult tasks'-where you lash out in anger and leave others like Minister Jung Sungho or Assemblyman Kim Youngjin to clean up the mess-onto others, you need to listen to their 'difficult words.' What is needed now is not aides who run away from a president prone to cursing and outbursts, but at least aides who have a sense of professionalism commensurate with their salaries." Lee Junseok concluded, "I hope he will not be the same kind of person as former President Yoon Sukyeol, at the very least."
"Democratic Party Addicted to 'Extreme Flavor,' Politics Turning Into a Drug"
Previously, Lee Junseok continued his strong criticism of the Democratic Party the day before. He said, "A civil servant took their own life during a special prosecutor's investigation, leaving a note saying the investigation felt coercive." He added, "I was concerned from the moment the Democratic Party started talking about an even stronger special prosecutor law." He pointed out, "Special Prosecutor Park Youngsoo investigated President Park Geunhye and Vice Chairman Lee Jaeyong with 20 prosecutors, and Special Prosecutor Heo Ikbeom prosecuted Governor Kim Kyungsoo with 13 prosecutors. But now, the so-called Hydra Special Prosecutor operates with 170 prosecutors combined from all three cases."
He also said, "A prosecution investigation is strong, a special prosecutor is stronger, and the Hydra Special Prosecutor is the strongest. But this talk of an 'even stronger special prosecutor' is a forced expression, like saying 'ultra-capsule strong.' The Democratic Party has become numb to 'strong' and is addicted to seeking 'stronger,' as if it were a drug." He warned, "If politics pursues only immediate and intense stimulation like a drug, the end can only be destruction. I hope the Republic of Korea does not become addicted as well."
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