Jang Kyung-tae "Despite Controversy Over Lee Raekyung... Must Acknowledge Contributions to Democratization"

Opposition Supreme Council Member, CBS Radio Interview
"Lee Jae-myung Resignation Theory? Reveals True Intentions Within Bimyeong Faction"

Jang Kyung-tae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, was appointed as the party's Innovation Committee Chairperson on the 7th but later commented on Lee Rae-kyung, Honorary Chairman of the Other Hundred Years, who voluntarily resigned due to controversy over his past remarks about the 'Cheonan ship self-destruction.' Jang said, "Although there was controversy over Lee's personal remarks when he was a free man, we must acknowledge his decades-long contributions to democratization."

On the same day, Jang appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "He is also a successful businessman. We do not need to belittle an individual's life, and I hope he shows such a willingness for reform."

Regarding the calls for the resignation of Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, from the non-mainstream faction including Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-min, Jang said, "I don't know if there is any connection. It's an out-of-the-blue remark."

Jang Kyung-tae, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Jang criticized, "I think it reflects his true intentions. Ultimately, Lee's resignation is his goal, and rather than party reform, he mentioned the leader's resignation. It is an unnecessary remark for the Democratic Party to unite internally and regain the trust of the people."

Regarding the new Innovation Committee Chairperson, he said, "I hope there will be no pro- or anti-Lee faction disputes inside or outside the party," adding, "Who wouldn't be able to achieve the four goals of breaking vested interests, relinquishing privileges, expanding representation, and strengthening political ethics?" He continued, "The most important thing is someone with the will to break the vested interests of lawmakers and bring about various political changes and innovations."

Meanwhile, on the 5th, the Democratic Party appointed Lee as the party's Innovation Committee Chairperson, but he voluntarily resigned amid controversy over his past remarks.

Previously, on February 10, Lee claimed on Facebook, "The US hegemonic forces, who fabricated the self-destruction of the Cheonan ship incident and ruined inter-Korean relations, are now exaggerating China's off-course meteorological balloon as a tremendous 'national threat,' as if it were an alien invasion, and the foolish Korean media are busy copying this."

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