Hwang Kyo-ahn and Park Young-sun Also Mentioned... Who Is the 'Sisyphus' Figure Summoned by Lee Jae-myung?

Mythical Figure Trapped in the Eternal Punishment Cycle
Lee Jae-myung: "Unwavering Commitment to Duty Despite Any Hardship"
Ruling Party: "Lee Jae-myung Will Face Endless Retribution"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, likened himself to 'Sisyphus' on the 17th as he appeared for his fourth summons by the prosecution. Sisyphus has long been used in politics as a metaphor for an 'eternally repeating cycle' or 'sacrifice.'

Appearing before the prosecution for investigation into the 'Baekhyeon-dong development preferential treatment' allegations, Lee said, "This is already my fourth summons," adding, "They want to make me a scapegoat to cover up the incompetence and political failures of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Isn't this a politically motivated investigation by the prosecution fabricating crimes that do not exist to cover up their own scandals?"

He continued, "I believe it is my mission in this life to straighten out a twisted world. I will fulfill my mission without bending to any hardship," and declared, "I will willingly become Sisyphus."

The Sisyphus Lee referred to is a figure from ancient Greek mythology. Sisyphus was punished for deceiving the gods by being condemned to push a boulder up a mountain, only for it to roll back down each time it reached the summit, forcing him to repeat this task forever.

Lee appears to be comparing his situation, surrounded by judicial risks, to Sisyphus's endless punishment. He has previously appeared twice regarding the 'Wirye New Town and Daejang-dong development preferential treatment' allegations and once for the 'Seongnam FC sponsorship' investigation. This day marked his fourth appearance before the prosecution since becoming party leader.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is suspected of preferential treatment in the Baekhyeon-dong development, is appearing at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 17th for investigation. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The People Power Party also commented that "Lee resembles Sisyphus," though their interpretation of Sisyphus differed.

Kang Min-guk, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a comment, "Lee mentioned the Greek myth of 'Sisyphus,' seemingly protesting as if the investigation against him were absurd. Sisyphus was originally greedy and fond of deceit," adding, "Lee truly resembles Sisyphus, and the endless punishment he received will be the same ending for him."

While Lee focused on the endless cycle of Sisyphus's punishment, Kang’s interpretation was based on the reason Sisyphus was punished by the gods?his character. Sisyphus is known for being cunning and possessing malicious wisdom.

Because of this, Sisyphus has appeared multiple times as a metaphor in past political discourse.

On December 9, 2019, Hwang Kyo-ahn, then leader of the Liberty Korea Party, mentioned Sisyphus while criticizing the Moon Jae-in administration's North Korea policy. At a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Hwang said, "If President Moon Jae-in does not change his policy, North Korea's pattern of dialogue and provocations will continue," emphasizing, "Our people will suffer 'Sisyphus's punishment' through false hope."

The punishment Sisyphus received is essentially being trapped in an eternally repeating cycle. This reference was interpreted as an argument that the Moon administration’s friendly North Korea policy approach, attempting to achieve denuclearization amid ongoing North Korean military provocations, was a form of false hope torture for the people.

Sisyphus is also used to signify repeated sacrifice for a great cause. In July 2017, Park Young-sun, former Minister of SMEs and Startups, likened Gwangju’s role in Korea’s democratization process to Sisyphus during a lecture in Gwangju.

Park said, "Gwangju and Honam are like Sisyphus. The entire region repeatedly sacrificed itself for Korea’s democracy and peaceful reunification," adding, "If we are enjoying democracy and freedom today, it is because Gwangju and Honam have continuously provided the driving force for democratization."

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