'Preheating' Lee Nak-yeon: "This is not a lecture ahead of the general election, it's what I usually do"

"From November, I will meet with young people"
May comment on future nomination conflicts... "Warming up"

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon drew a line against interpretations by some that his external lectures on diplomacy and security are a 'political move' ahead of the general election. Recently, within the Democratic Party, there have been demands for Lee to make strong statements in response to harsh criticism from hardline supporters directed at non-Lee Jae-myung (Bi-Lee Jae-myung) faction lawmakers.

On the 26th, Lee stated on his Facebook, "Following my lecture at Kyung Hee University on the 11th, I gave a lecture on 'South Korea's Survival Strategy' at Seoul National University on the 25th. Since last year, I have given 21 lectures in the United States, Germany, and the Czech Republic, and have continued with 10 more lectures since returning to Korea in June," adding, "It is strange to report this as 'ahead of the general election,' especially since these are private lectures."

He emphasized that since he has been continuing lectures after returning in June and these are private lectures not exposed to the public, interpreting this as 'warming up for the general election' is excessive. Lee also said that starting next month, he will hold reading meetings to meet with young people and listen to their thoughts on national issues.

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon is leaving the conference room after finishing his lecture at the "Survival Strategy of the Republic of Korea" Peace Studies Seminar hosted by the Seoul National University Institute for Unification and Peace Studies, held on the 25th at the International Conference Room of the Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, ahead of the upcoming general election, there is a possibility that Lee will also issue messages amid intra-party conflicts such as candidate nominations. Former lawmaker Shin Kyung-min, a pro-Lee (pro-Lee Nak-yeon) faction member, recently said that as protests by hardline supporters against Bi-Lee Jae-myung faction lawmakers intensify within the party, there is a demand for Lee to make strong statements, and that "it has now reached a stage where (Lee) cannot avoid speaking."

On the 26th, Shin said on Channel A radio show 'Political Signal,' "I understand that as a politician, he may be seen as frustrating for not responding, but that is how he has lived. That is the Lee Nak-yeon brand," he said.

Shin added, "From the perspective of politicians whose interests are tied to candidate nominations, there is a demand for him to say something stronger, and Lee is well aware of that. We have now entered a stage where he cannot avoid speaking. Please understand that he is warming up for that."

Earlier, Bi-Lee Jae-myung faction member Lee Sang-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said on the Channel A radio show on the 25th, "It seems that former leader Lee Nak-yeon is not communicating well within the party. This kind of third-person style of speaking is inappropriate. Has poor communication just started recently?" He added, "He is a very gentle person by nature, so I understand that he does not speak directly like me but uses indirect metaphors and softer expressions, but from the listener's perspective, it sounds quite unpleasant."

Lee said, "Former leader Lee Nak-yeon should now step forward to address how to handle the party's internal issues first, considering the current party situation and the political situation in Korea."

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