Lee Jae-myung: "Regarding the 'Jeon Du-hwan's merits and faults' controversy, do not attack by isolating only parts... Ultimately, he was called a historical criminal"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited Hwanggeum Market in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk on the 12th to appeal for support from citizens. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, rebutted the controversy surrounding his remarks on the "merits and demerits of Jeon Du-hwan," stating, "It is never desirable to politically attack by selectively taking only parts of the statement."

On the 12th, after visiting the memorial tower on the Gyeongbu Expressway at Chupungnyeong Rest Area in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk, Lee told reporters, "The most serious social ill in our society is black-and-white logic and factionalism," expressing this view.

Lee said, "Our side thinks everything is right, and the opposing camp is all wrong. There is a tendency to believe there are only black or white," adding, "To move toward a pluralistic and pragmatic society, it is important to objectively see things as they are."

He continued, "Jeon Du-hwan is an unforgivable person who committed tremendous historical and real serious crimes that changed my life entirely," emphasizing, "Even now, I hold the position that statutes of limitations, expiration periods, and various other time limits should be abolished to punish and hold him accountable."

He added, "I do not think he is someone who can ever be forgiven or tolerated," but also said, "However, recent discussions tend to deny the facts themselves due to being too caught up in factionalism."

Lee stated, "If the facts themselves are denied, society will fall into irrationality," and said, "There may be parts that cannot be said to be 100% wrong."

He further explained, "For example, one of those is that thanks to not missing the opportunity of the 'three lows boom' (low interest rates, low oil prices, low dollar) and selecting capable bureaucrats accordingly, the economy grew nonetheless."

Lee claimed, "Although there are such small parts, I said that overall he is a historical criminal who can never be forgiven, and I think it is never desirable to politically attack by selectively taking only some parts of that."

Earlier, Lee visited the Dabudong War Memorial in Chilgok-gun, Gyeongbuk, and sparked controversy by saying, "Jeon Du-hwan also has both merits and demerits."

On that day, Lee evaluated, "Overall, Jeon Du-hwan properly utilized the 'three lows boom' to prevent the economy from collapsing and to keep it functioning properly, which is indeed an achievement."

However, he said, "Acts that harm the lives of the people with the guns entrusted by the people are serious crimes that can never be forgiven for any reason and must never be repeated," adding, "Therefore, he can never be respected."

In this regard, Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, released a press statement titled "The one trying to re-evaluate Jeon Du-hwan is Jeon Du-hwan himself" on the 12th, criticizing Lee's remarks on the "merits and demerits of Jeon Du-hwan," saying, "Trying to differentiate from the Moon Jae-in government, he seems to be aiming to become the People Power Party candidate."

The People Power Party launched a fierce attack, accusing Lee of flip-flopping and dividing the people. Hwang Gyu-hwan, spokesperson for the People Power Party's election committee, said in a commentary, "Lee, who has made flip-flopping a daily routine, has now started to change his evaluation of a former president as easily as flipping his palm," criticizing, "It makes one doubt if he is really the same Lee who once mocked by stepping on the tombstone of former President Jeon Du-hwan."

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