"Just Show the Packaging"… Lee Jae-myung Fires a Warning Shot at Yoon Seok-yeol's 'Mystery' Approach

"Showing Only the Pretty Parts Doesn't Reveal the Whole Story"
"Politicians' Duty Is to Show Everything to the People and Be Judged"
Governor Lee Sends a Warning to Former Prosecutor General Yoon, Who Exhibits a 'Mystery-Secrecy' Approach

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is attending the inaugural general meeting of the 'National Assembly Forum for Korea's Growth and Fairness' held at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeouido, Seoul on the 20th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province and a leading presidential candidate from the ruling party, criticized former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, saying he "only showed the packaging." This appears to be a critique of Yoon revealing his national governance philosophy or thoughts to the public not by himself but through the media or acquaintances. Lee also criticized this behavior as unbecoming of a politician, leading to views that Lee is beginning to actively check Yoon.

On the 20th, after attending the inauguration ceremony of the 'National Assembly Forum for Growth and Fairness of the Republic of Korea' held at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee told reporters about former Prosecutor General Yoon, "It's hard to speak because he only showed the pretty packaging," adding, "We need to see the contents to make a judgment."

Lee pointed out, "I have never seen what he (Yoon) is thinking," and "I have only encountered partial packaging that someone briefly showed me, so it is difficult to judge."

He continued, "Consumers judge by looking at the contents. You should at least try using it, but if you only show the packaging, the pretty parts, I have no idea what the contents are," emphasizing, "If you are going to do politics, it is the duty of a politician or someone who wants to become a politician to show everything to the people and be judged."

This is the first time Lee has launched a 'check' against former Prosecutor General Yoon. There is a perspective that competition between the two, who form the two-strong structure in various presidential polls, is intensifying.

On the 20th, attendees including Kim Byung-wook and Min Hyung-bae, co-representatives, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province, are taking a commemorative photo at the launch ceremony of the 'National Assembly Forum for Korea's Growth and Fairness' held at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeouido, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

According to a 'Next Presidential Candidate Suitability' survey conducted by four polling agencies?Embrain Public, K-Stat Research, Korea Research, and Hankook Research?over three days from the 17th to the 19th, surveying 1,009 voters nationwide, Lee recorded a support rate of 25%, ranking first, while former Prosecutor General Yoon came in second with 19%.

Others included former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon (10%) in third place, independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo (4%), People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo (3%), former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun (2%), and former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min (2%), in that order.

Meanwhile, Lee continues his presidential campaign. On the 20th, the 'Growth and Fairness Forum,' a support group for Democratic Party lawmakers that will serve as Lee's base camp in Yeouido, was launched, with 35 full members participating, about 20% of the entire Democratic Party lawmakers (174 members).

On the other hand, former Prosecutor General Yoon has shown no particular activity since stepping down from his position.

Earlier, on March 4th, Yoon held a press conference in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and announced his sudden resignation. At the time, he said, "My role in the prosecution ends here," but added, "I am stepping down to protect justice, common sense, democracy, and the rule of law in our society."

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is giving a farewell speech as he leaves the Supreme Prosecutors' Office building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after resigning on the afternoon of March 4. / Photo by Yonhap News

On the 17th, the day before the 41st anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, he sent a message to the media, emphasizing, "May 18 is a living history still ongoing," and "We must learn the lessons of history and resolutely stand against any dictatorship."

There has been speculation in political circles that former Prosecutor General Yoon might be considering a political move, but Yoon has maintained a kind of 'mystique' without any notable activity for the past two months.

Meanwhile, in the main opposition party, the People Power Party, voices are emerging calling for the recruitment of former Prosecutor General Yoon, a leading opposition presidential candidate.

On the 20th, former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who declared her candidacy for the People Power Party leadership election, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall, stating, "If I become party leader, I will contact all potential opposition candidates," and added, "For Yoon to become a presidential candidate and president, joining the People Power Party is an inevitable step."

She emphasized, "If the party becomes a melting pot where more regions, generations, and classes can participate together, we will be able to recruit all opposition candidates."

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