Lee Jun-seok "Kim Ki-hyun's Yoon Impeachment Remarks... National Threat 'Failing Grade'"

"Can't Defeat the Democratic Party Through Group Lynchings"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok criticized Kim Ki-hyun, a candidate for party leader, on the 12th, saying, "You cannot defeat the Democratic Party in next year's general election by eliminating candidates one by one through the 'process of elimination' or by collective lynching at the party convention."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former leader Lee made these remarks during a press meeting after a luncheon with pro-Lee Jun-seok faction candidates at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, in the afternoon. He said, "While collective lynching might be possible under the influence of the presidential office, it is unthinkable in the general election."

He added, "The most regrettable aspect of this party convention is that those who were once active as young leaders and known for their reformist tendencies have abandoned their principles and aligned themselves with power out of election urgency. In the case of candidate Kim Ki-hyun, when he was the mayor of Ulsan, he was one of the foremost supporters of the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye."

He criticized, "However, (candidate Kim) trying to represent the party by threatening party members with impeachment by associating other candidates is inappropriate."

On the previous day, candidate Kim said at a conservative policy discussion meeting for central and southern Gyeonggi Province held at Kangnam University in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, targeting candidate Ahn, "Those who have presidential ambitions are problematic as party leaders," and added, "If current power and future power collide, impeachment, which I dare not even mention, is a concern."

Former leader Lee said, "The current party convention is a stage to show what strategies each candidate will command in next year's general election. But if you threaten the people as Kim Ki-hyun's camp is doing, will you gain public support? That is a failing point from the start."

Regarding candidate Ahn Cheol-soo's remark that "pro-Lee Jun-seok candidates are mere lip-service reformers," Lee said, "Candidate Chun Ha-ram is saying he will implement bottom-up nominations. However, candidate Ahn talks about system nominations, which does not answer the question appropriately."

He pointed out, "In the past, candidate Ahn was a behind-the-scenes power broker in the Bareunmirae Party and shook up the nomination rules. When he was the leader of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, he caused many internal conflicts to enforce his will in the nomination of the Gwangju mayor," adding, "He should answer knowing how the public views his past record."

Regarding support for pro-Lee Jun-seok candidates, former leader Lee said, "Because the four candidates have relatively low public recognition compared to their potential, they still need some support. I plan to do all I can," but added, "I will avoid situations where I am overly highlighted as much as possible."

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