Lee Jae-myung, the Meaning of 'Normalization' Spanning Economy, Security, and Politics (Comprehensive)

"Yoon, Talks of Cooperation... Obsessed with Eliminating Political Opponents"
"Complete Shift in State Policy, Must Care for People's Livelihood Economy"
"Overcome the Imperial Presidency... Constitutional Amendment to Four-Year Renewable Term System"

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Park Jun-i] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held his first official press conference 138 days after taking office as party leader, and in his candid remarks that seemed to pour out all the delayed statements, many key words appeared, but the word that runs through them was the 'normalization' of abnormality. Emphasizing three major areas?'restoration of the livelihood economy, cessation of the Yoon Seok-yeol government's failures and suppression of the opposition party, and recovery toward politics for the people'?Lee criticized the Yoon administration's failures and incompetence across economic, diplomatic, and political fields and stressed the need to restore normalcy.

In particular, he defined the current government's politics as 'politics of division and anger' and mentioned his commitment to 'political restoration,' signaling a tough countermeasure in the 'judicial political situation' that will intensify this year.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Restoration of Livelihood Economy... "A Complete Shift in National Policy Direction Is Needed"

On the 12th, at a press conference held at the National Assembly, Lee pointed out the unstable livelihood economy first, saying, "The 'Korea discount' is becoming widespread due to the difficult economic situation compounded by a security disaster." He proposed three major solutions to address this: ▲ an emergency livelihood plan worth 30 trillion won ▲ a cabinet reshuffle including the economic line ▲ formation of a national emergency economic council.

Lee criticized, "At a time when the wave of crisis is rising, the state must strongly protect the socially vulnerable and ordinary people and strive for fair sharing of pain. However, government measures are going in the opposite direction." He said, "The government is only focused on privileged tax cuts for large corporations and ultra-wealthy individuals and encouraging 'real estate shopping' by multi-homeowners," adding, "This is a wrong prescription that eats away at the future and a self-defeating move. The national policy direction must be completely changed immediately."

He then cited the recent North Korean unmanned drone incident as a representative failure and pressured the Yoon administration. Lee pointed out, "The president's reckless 'verbal bombs' to cover up security incompetence have only amplified public anxiety and market confusion," and criticized, "The public's concern that something might happen is very high."

He also criticized the government's 'one-way governance' and urged, "Please cooperate in restoring the lost politics." Lee warned, "If the so-called three major reforms promoted by the government are pushed through by force, like the prosecution's warrant execution, it will only provoke strong resistance," and said, "The president must return to the original intention he pledged." He added, "I have already proposed several times to meet with the president. The offer still stands," reiterating his demand for a summit meeting.

Stop the Yoon Seok-yeol Government's Failures and Suppression of the Opposition... Restore Lost Politics

At the press conference held two days after appearing before the prosecution over the Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations on the 10th, Lee criticized the Yoon administration's 'political prosecution' and made tough remarks that seemed to assert his presence in the upcoming judicial political situation.

Lee demanded, "The unilateral and violent governance must be normalized," and "Stop the suppression of the opposition party." He fiercely criticized, "The government has been obsessed with destroying the opposition and eliminating political rivals by mobilizing power institutions while verbally advocating 'cooperation.' It is even criticized as the only government that has not talked with the opposition party leader for over eight months since taking office."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Proposal for Constitutional Amendment to Allow '4-Year Re-election'

Along with this, Lee proposed political reforms such as changing the current single five-year presidential term to a four-year renewable term to move away from the imperial presidency, introducing a presidential runoff election system, and reforming the parliamentary election system to break regionalism.

Lee said, "There is no election this year. It is the right time to discuss constitutional amendment," suggesting the formation of a special committee on constitutional amendment in the National Assembly and holding a national referendum in the 2024 general election. He emphasized, "Politics exists only when it makes people's lives better and pioneers a better future for the country," adding, "I recall the original intention when I was first called by the people. I will trust the people and history and stand firm against any injustice."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

"Waiving Parliamentary Immunity? The Situation Changes If Wearing a Police Uniform and Committing Robbery"

After the press conference, during the Q&A session, when asked by reporters whether he would relinquish his 'parliamentary immunity' if a motion for his arrest consent were submitted to the National Assembly, Lee responded, "If the police exercise their authority lawfully, I will naturally accept it, but if they commit robbery while wearing a police uniform, the situation is different, so the judgment may differ."

He said, "Since democratization, there has been no case where the prosecution abused investigative and prosecutorial powers like this," explaining, "Now the prosecution has become a servant of power, helping unjust power while itself becoming power. Please consider that the investigation and prosecution powers are being abused, and it is not an investigation but a political act."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the approximately 12-hour summons investigation by the prosecution on the 10th over the Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations, he said, "As a member of the public, it was a very unfair treatment, but I faced the prosecution's summons confidently. I cooperated with the investigation because I did nothing wrong, but the prosecution's demand is very unfair and improper," strongly criticizing the prosecution's investigation again.

Regarding the bill to introduce a special prosecutor system for First Lady Kim Geon-hee, which the Democratic Party is pushing as party policy, he emphasized that it should not be linked to his prosecution investigation on the same level.

Lee said, "I think it is unfair to link the two issues (Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor and Lee Jae-myung's judicial risk)," explaining, "Because the political attack by the prosecution against me is fabricating facts. The police had already conducted years of investigations and found no charges, resulting in no indictment, but they are forcibly trying to find something."

He added, "There is too much clear evidence against Mrs. Kim, so I don't think it is a matter to be linked. Making it seem like the two are related is practically an unfair judgment. Wouldn't I feel somewhat wronged if unrelated matters are connected?" Regarding the media's reference to 'Lee Jae-myung's judicial risk,' he requested, "Please refer to it as 'prosecution risk' rather than judicial risk whenever possible."

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