Yoo Si-min "Pro-Roh and Pro-Moon 'Third Candidate Theory' Includes My Name... Very Uncomfortable"

Lee Hae-chan "Currently, No Lineage of Roh Moo-hyun or Moon Jae-in Factions in the Democratic Party"

On the afternoon of the 15th, Yoo Si-min, Chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, delivered a greeting during the "Special Dialogue of Chairpersons" on the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's YouTube channel. Photo by Roh Moo-hyun Foundation YouTube capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] On the 15th, Yoo Si-min, chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, dismissed claims from some quarters that the so-called pro-Roh (친노) and pro-Moon (친문) factions are trying to put forward a candidate for the next presidential election, saying, "It's brain-fic (baseless lies). I find it very unpleasant."

Chairman Yoo appeared on the same day in the afternoon on the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation's YouTube channel for the '2020 Supporters' Day Special Broadcast' and pointed out, "There are too many reports suggesting that within the ruling party (the Democratic Party of Korea), there is a so-called pro-Roh faction that decides the next presidential candidate based on personal relationships, saying things like 'someone is pro-Roh so they are good, someone is not so they are no good'."

The broadcast also featured former Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan, former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, and former Secretary to President Roh Moo-hyun Lee Byung-wan, among other past chairpersons.

Chairman Yoo lamented, "Recently, with Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongsangnam-do receiving a guilty verdict in the second trial, and Representative Lee Nak-yeon and Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province forming a tight two-horse race in opinion polls, the pro-Roh faction is said to be seeking a third pro-Roh alternative, claiming 'Lee Jae-myung is not pro-Roh, and Lee Nak-yeon is not pro-Roh,' and my name as chairman is included in articles every day because of that. It makes me very uncomfortable."

On the afternoon of the 15th, at the 'Special Dialogue of Chairpersons' on the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation YouTube channel, former Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan (4th chairperson of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation), Lee Byung-wan, president of the Korean Women's Basketball Federation (3rd chairperson), former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook (founding chairperson), and Yoo Si-min (current chairperson of the foundation/from left) are having a dialogue. Photo by Roh Moo-hyun Foundation YouTube capture

He continued, "Being pro-Roh is good. I am pro-Roh to the bone and love President Roh," but emphasized, "However, we support politicians based on their policies, beliefs, convictions, and their way of doing politics if they are right, necessary for our country, and excellent. We do not support or distance ourselves based on personal friendships or connections with former President Roh or President Moon."

He added, "If left alone, many uninformed citizens might just accept it. If any reporters are watching, please write this in your articles. We do not engage in such things," he urged.

In response to Chairman Yoo's remarks, former Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan said, "I think those people are just trying to get under our skin. They are just foolish," and stressed, "Currently, within the Democratic Party, there are no factions like the Roh Moo-hyun faction or the Moon Jae-in faction. We are all the same."

Former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook said, "It would be better not to make political statements in the name of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation or as its representatives or members during very sensitive election periods," but added, "That said, everyone is an individual and a citizen, so in that sense, they have the right to do so. How about we settle it that way?"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.