Lee Nak-yeon "SNS Defamation, Legal Issues" vs Lee Jae-myung "Stop the Matador"... Shaking the Ruling Party One Team

Growing Conflict Over SNS Defamation Allegations and Gunpilwon Team Poster
Former Leader Lee Nak-yeon: "There Will Be Legal Proceedings on Election Law Violations"
Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung: "Need to Consider Actions of Their Supporters Too"

Former leader and presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee Nak-yeon, is answering reporters' questions after a discussion session aimed at eradicating deepfake damage, held on the 19th at Espresso, a video detection technology startup located in Mapo-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As allegations have surfaced that public officials from related organizations in Gyeonggi Province led defamation against former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon through social networking services (SNS), conflicts among ruling party presidential candidates are deepening. In response to these allegations, when former leader Lee claimed that "the connection with Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung should also be revealed," Governor Lee sharply retorted, "He should first look at the slanders his own supporters are making against me."

In an interview with KBS's 'The Live' on the 19th, when asked, "Do you think Governor Lee could be responsible?" former leader Lee replied, "I do not have any materials to say this or that about it," but added, "If there is a connection, that should also be clarified."

He continued, "I understand that a civic group has already filed a complaint," emphasizing, "A thorough investigation should be conducted to prevent such incidents."

On the same day, former leader Lee's campaign raised suspicions that an executive from a Gyeonggi Province affiliated organization shared defamatory posts targeting former leader Lee in a secret messenger 'Telegram' chat room.

Regarding this, Yoon Young-chan, a Democratic Party lawmaker and political affairs director of former leader Lee's campaign, said in an interview with KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' "The Central Election Commission is currently investigating, and we are urging the Democratic Party's election commission to investigate as well," adding, "If a proper investigation is not conducted, we will consider directly filing a police complaint."

Former leader Lee also, after attending the 'Deepfake Damage Eradication Meeting' held in Mapo-gu, Seoul, told reporters, "(The SNS defamation allegations) are a matter of legality," and warned of legal action, saying, "Whether it violates election laws will be addressed through the appropriate legal process."

Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province / Photo by Yonhap News

In response, Governor Lee's side replied, "He should look at the slanders his own supporters are making against me."

Governor Lee, during a visit to the Gyeonggi Province Digital Sex Crime Victim One-Stop Support Center, told reporters, "(The SNS defamation allegations) were done by people I don't even know," adding, "Disciplining and suspending them was the best I could do."

He further stated, "I hope former leader Lee's side also reflects on the countless actions by his supporters who belittle people with disabilities or fabricate falsehoods to slander me," criticizing, "I think it has gone too far."

As conflicts arise between the ruling party's leading candidates, former leader Lee and Governor Lee, over the 'SNS defamation allegations,' concerns are emerging that internal strife could occur among Democratic Party candidates who previously emphasized 'One Team.'

A poster of 'Gunpil One Team' created by a netizen. The candidates, except for Governor Lee, who has not completed military service among the ruling party's presidential contenders, are standing side by side / Photo by Twitter capture

Recently, controversy arose within the party over a so-called 'Military Service One Team' poster created by a netizen. This poster features Democratic Party candidates who have completed military service standing side by side, including former leader Lee Nak-yeon, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, and lawmakers Kim Du-kwan and Park Yong-jin. However, Governor Lee, who is exempt from military service, was excluded. Governor Lee was exempted due to a bent left arm caused by an injury sustained while working as a child laborer.

Regarding this, Governor Lee expressed his sorrow on his Facebook on the 17th, saying, "Seeing the poster reminded me of childhood memories," and added, "It is difficult to completely shake off the sorrow of disability."

He continued, "My mother silently endured pain seeing me wear long-sleeved shirts even in midsummer to hide my left arm, which was twisted due to growth plate damage from being pressed by a press machine," and added, "It was only after meeting my wife and well into my thirties that I finally wore short-sleeved shirts. Many years have passed overcoming the inferiority complex of my disability." He also posted a photo of his twisted left arm on Facebook.

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