Sim Sang-jung Criticizes Yoon, Ahn, and Lee... "No Unification with Anyone"

"Yoon's mention of deep-rooted corruption investigations is an explicit declaration of political revenge"
"Ahn mentioned 'end of two-party system,' so expectations were high, but unification... disappointment"
"Lee and the Democratic Party lack reform spirit... regime change is necessary"

Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, is attending the Kwanhoon Debate held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 14th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Jeong-wan] Sim Sang-jung, the presidential candidate of the Justice Party, recently criticized Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, for his remark that he would launch investigations into deep-rooted evils if elected, calling it "the worst gaffe."

On the morning of the 14th at the Korea Press Center during the Kwanhoon Debate, Candidate Sim said, "There have been several gaffes made by Candidate Yoon, but this is the worst," and emphasized, "It is absurd for the president to order investigations, but for a candidate to talk about investigating deep-rooted evils is nothing but an explicit declaration of political revenge."

He added, "If there is an issue, it is up to the investigative authorities to decide whether to investigate," and also commented on President Moon Jae-in's direct demand for an apology regarding Yoon's remarks, saying, "I politely request that the president refrain from stepping into the election arena."

Furthermore, Candidate Sim drew a clear line by stating, "I am not considering any unification (of candidates) at all."

When asked whether he might participate in unifying opposition candidates or seek unification with a ruling party candidate, he firmly stated, "There is no such possibility. Unification is not in my dictionary." He explained, "So far, unification has been abused as a means to extend the lifespan of the two-party system. If even I avoid this position, the voices of numerous non-mainstream citizens unrepresented by the two-party politics will be completely erased."

He continued, "In the 2024 general election, we must move beyond the two-party system to a genuine multi-party system with at least four parties," and emphasized, "We will devote all efforts to nurturing alternative forces that can replace the two-party system and to establishing institutional and political foundations that allow such a system to grow."

Candidate Sim also mentioned Ahn Cheol-soo, the candidate of the People’s Party, who proposed unification with Candidate Yoon. He said, "Candidate Ahn entered politics with the slogan of 'new politics' but did not contribute any strength to political reform. I had some expectations when he spoke about ending the two-party system this time, but it seems he ultimately shifted to unification. It is disappointing."

He also sharpened his criticism toward the Democratic Party and candidate Lee Jae-myung.

He stated, "There is no distinction between the Democratic Party and the People Power Party," and emphasized, "Ultimately, it is about the economy and people’s livelihood, but even the reformist nature that the Democratic Party had has disappeared." He continued, "What candidate Lee Jae-myung has proposed is bomb supply, deregulation, and real estate tax cuts, which are the alternatives the People Power Party has consistently presented against the Moon Jae-in administration. If those alternatives were correct, then a regime change should be made," he pointed out.

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