Opposition's Fierce Attack Met with Lee Jae-myung's Rebuttal: "It's Occupation... Start by Filling Historical Knowledge"

On the 2nd, Lee Jae-myung, a presidential candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the Kim Dae-jung Nobel Peace Prize Memorial Hall in Sanjeong-dong, Mokpo City, Jeollanam-do.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Recently, as opposition parties continued to criticize Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung's remarks made in Andong, Gyeongbuk, Lee's camp rebutted by saying, "They are intentionally distorting the interpretation" and urged them to "fill their historical knowledge first."

Earlier, on the 1st, Lee visited the Yi Yuksa Literature Museum in Andong, Gyeongbuk, and said, "Unlike other countries' government establishment stages, South Korea failed to purge pro-Japanese collaborators, and the pro-Japanese forces collaborated with the U.S. occupation forces to maintain the existing ruling system."

These remarks drew criticism from the political circles. Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, criticized it as "a historical perception that denies the founding of the Republic of Korea," and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said, "I deplore the use of history to divide the people." Former Future United Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn also evaluated, "It is a shocking matter," adding, "Governor Lee's 'lack of foundation' has reached the point of disparaging not only his family but also the nation."

Regarding this, Lee's campaign spokespersons issued a statement on the 3rd, saying, "Before slandering with 'lack of historical awareness,' we suggest that they fill their own 'lack of historical knowledge' first." The term slander here refers to baseless fabrication of facts as black propaganda.

Lee's camp argued, "The statement referred to events that occurred in the liberation period before the establishment of the Republic of Korea government on August 15, 1948. Since the victorious United States disarmed Japan and militarily controlled its occupied territories, the term 'occupation' is appropriate." They explained, "This is a historical fact verified by many historians." They also emphasized, "The U.S. military itself referred to itself as 'occupying forces,' and treated the Korean Peninsula not as a victim country of Japan but as part of Japan."

They continued, "There is even an absurd slander suggesting whether to expel the U.S. Forces Korea. The U.S. Forces Korea are troops stationed under the Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty by the legitimate and lawful government of Syngman Rhee and the United States. They are clearly different from the military government troops stationed due to Japan's surrender."

Furthermore, Lee's camp rebutted the opposition's criticism by saying, "They are intentionally distorting the interpretation of pointing out the reality that pro-Japanese remnants have not been properly purged based on historical facts." They added, "The predecessor party of the party to which those making slanderous attacks belong, the Grand National Party, unanimously opposed the pro-Japanese property restitution law in the past. The proverb 'a thief feels guilty' comes to mind."

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