Lee Jae-myung: "Yoon Seok-yeol Recklessly and Arrogantly Attacks the People"

Lee Jae-myung Visits Chungcheong, Criticizes Yoon: "Prosecutorial Dictatorship Could Begin"
Also Emphasizes Need for 'Political Reform' for Multi-Party System

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is greeting supporters at the Cheongju campaign rally titled "Cheongju, the Center of Balanced Development, Towards the Chungcheong Mega City!" held in front of Lotte Mart in Cheongju, Chungbuk on the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized the need for political reform to establish a practical multi-party system, saying, "How could a force that was punished by candlelight protests get another chance?"

On the 23rd, during a campaign speech in front of Lotte Mart in Cheongju, Chungbuk, Lee said, "This (current electoral system) is a failure. It is problematic that 31% of the votes result in taking 100% of the seats," and added, "The electoral system must be changed because it goes against popular sovereignty. The proportional representation system also needs to be reformed."

Lee pointed out the drawbacks of the current two-party system, saying, "There are only two parties, so if the other party is no good, people have to vote for this party as a 'lesser evil.' They say they choose the lesser evil," and continued, "So there is no need to do well. If you make the opponent do worse, the opportunity comes to me."

He further stated, "Who has always held us back and led us to failure? Even though the people suffer, if they criticize and resent the current ruling power, this kind of politics where the opportunity comes to me must be overhauled," and added, "There must be a third choice so that the two major forces compete to do well. If you dislike both, you should be able to choose a third option. That is political reform."

He also expressed his determination to form a unified government. He said, "The People Power Party always says to change things, but what good is it if it changes for the worse? We must move beyond a worse regime change toward a better political change," and promised, "I will definitely create a national cabinet and a unified government that gives opportunities to good people regardless of faction and is evaluated by the people."

Lee also targeted candidate Yoon, saying, "A prosecutorial dictatorship more serious than a military regime could begin." Referring to Yoon’s remarks in an interview with the New Era Preparation Committee last December, where he called it a "five-year elected power," Lee strongly criticized, "(Yoon) said, 'The five-year term is arrogantly fearless.' The appointed power, appointed by the elected power, has arrogantly and fearlessly attacked the people."

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