Presidential Candidates from the Opposition: "Lee Jae-myung's Historical Awareness Is Beyond Shock, It's Appalling... Let's Have a Public Debate"

Lee's Statement on "Pro-Japanese Forces in Korea Collaborating with U.S. Occupation Forces to Dominate"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is preparing for a meeting using the online conference program 'Zoom' on the morning of the 2nd at the Hotel Hyundai by Lahan banquet hall in Samho-eup, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Opposition presidential candidates fiercely criticized Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung for his remarks made in Andong, Gyeongbuk.

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min wrote on his Facebook on the 2nd, "Governor Lee Jae-myung said in Andong that 'the Republic of Korea was ruled by pro-Japanese forces collaborating with the U.S. occupation forces, and the country did not start cleanly,'" adding, "Governor Lee's historical perception denying the founding of the Republic of Korea is truly shocking."

Former lawmaker Yoo said, "Governor Lee's historical perception denying the founding of the Republic of Korea is truly shocking," and asked, "Where did the blood and sweat of our ancestors who made today's Korea possible go?" He continued, "If Governor Lee becomes president, I want to hear whether he will expel the U.S. occupation forces, the U.S. military stationed in Korea," and questioned, "Can we entrust the country to someone with a distorted historical perception that the founding of the Republic of Korea was not clean?"

Jeju Province Governor Won Hee-ryong proposed a public debate. Governor Won said, "His historical perception is beyond shocking, it is appalling," emphasizing, "The United States supported the establishment of the Korean government and fought alongside Korea against North Korea and China in the Korean War. Korea and the U.S. are blood allies forged through blood."

He also asked, "Does this mean we should forget the Korean War because China fought alongside us against Japan and instead join hands with China? Is the 'New Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-myung does it' that Governor Lee mentioned referring to a country that joins hands with Russia, China, and North Korea?"

People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung also said, "Governor Lee, the Republic of Korea is not a country established by the U.S. military government and pro-Japanese collaborators," adding, "It is a country founded and protected by independence activists and the common people." Lawmaker Ha pointed out, "The Democratic Party, successor to the Korean Nationalist Party, is actually the descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators," and said, "I don't know where or what kind of education you received, but I hope you start studying history from the basics again."

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