Lee Jae-myung on Controversy Over Disparaging Ukraine President: "My Expression Was Inadequate... I Intended to Criticize Yoon"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is speaking at an emergency security and economic joint meeting held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 24th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, apologized for the controversy sparked by his remarks related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying, "My expression was insufficient."

On the 26th, Lee posted on his Facebook, "There were criticisms that my debate remarks belittled the President of Ukraine." He wrote, "I have clearly criticized Russia's invasion and expressed support for Ukraine earlier than any other presidential candidate. If you have seen the full TV debate, you can see that immediately after the remark, I clearly condemned Russia's invasion and pointed out the unstable diplomacy and security stance of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party candidate, rather than belittling the President of Ukraine."

However, Lee added, "If, contrary to my intention, even partially, I caused misunderstanding to the people of Ukraine, it was due to my insufficient expression," and "I feel I did not have enough time to explain fully, so I would like to clarify my position on the Ukraine situation." He continued, "I fully support the position and efforts of the Ukrainian people and government who love freedom and peace and strive to preserve their unique history, culture, and traditions," emphasizing, "Russia's aggressive actions can never be justified."

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, has expressed his position on the Ukraine situation.
[Photo by Lee Jae-myung, Democratic Party Facebook capture]

Lee said, "I believe our country should actively participate in the international community's efforts to uphold international law for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and to restore peace," and added, "This Ukraine situation is one of the most serious diplomatic and security challenges the international community has faced since the Cold War." He explained, "The repercussions of this situation will significantly affect not only US-Russia, US-Europe, and Europe-Russia relations but, depending on the circumstances, also US-China relations," predicting, "It involves issues such as rising energy and raw material prices, as well as the need to join the international community's response and sanctions against Russia's aggressive actions."

Lee also said, "Watching this situation, I once again deeply felt how important peace is," and "I also deeply reflected on the importance of appropriate deterrence, cooperation, and alliances with allies to maintain peace." He then criticized, "In that regard, Yoon's remarks are very disappointing," pointing out, "Yoon is using the Ukraine situation to justify his preemptive strike theory and nuclear sharing theory and to criticize me and President Moon Jae-in."

Furthermore, Lee criticized, "Before the debate, Yoon showed a mocking attitude toward the government of an allied country facing an unfortunate situation on his social media, saying, 'Ukraine trusted only a piece of paper called the Budapest Memorandum,' and 'Instead of giving up nuclear weapons, they should have quickly joined NATO.'" He questioned, "I cannot help but ask whether such cynical remarks, which only hurt the hearts of a country and its people in a tragic situation rather than helping them, are appropriate behavior for someone who wants to become a country's leader," adding, "This attitude is exactly the limitation of a novice politician that I pointed out in the debate."

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