Lee Nak-yeon’s '44% Ex-Convicts' Remark Sparks Democratic Party Outrage: "A Two-Time Offender Exploiting Honam Spirit for Personal Gain"

Jung Sung-ho "Most Due to Labor and Democratization Movements"
Jung Cheong-rae "What Were Others Doing During Democratization Movements?"
Kim Nam-guk "Pathetic Politician"

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon claimed that "44% of Democratic Party lawmakers have criminal records," sparking backlash within the party.

On the 9th, Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Seong-ho appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "I was angry" at Lee's remarks, criticizing them as inappropriate. The day before, Lee Nak-yeon directly attacked the party on UBC Ulsan Broadcasting's 'Prime News,' stating that "44% of Democratic Party lawmakers have criminal records." He mentioned that the Democratic Party has lost its morality and diversity, saying, "This is a much higher rate than other parties, and it has never been like this before."

Former leader of the Democratic Party Lee Nak-yeon is leaving the publication event of Yang Hyang-ja, CEO of Korea's Hope, held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 9th, responding to questions from the press. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

In response, Jeong said, "I understand that the statistics were compiled based on all lawmakers who have been booked by the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice," and added, "Excluding those involved in labor and democratization movements, I believe the figure is about 16%." Jeong also claimed that the number of lawmakers booked for ordinary crimes, excluding labor and democratization movements, is higher in the People Power Party than in the Democratic Party. He said, "I understand that the People Power Party's criminal record rate is about 19%," and raised his voice, asking, "I want to ask what other reasons former leader Lee Nak-yeon has for leaving the Democratic Party besides disliking Lee Jae-myung and being 'anti-Lee'."

Regarding Lee's remarks, Jeong Cheong-rae, a senior member of the Democratic Party, also expressed displeasure, calling it "bitter." On the 9th, Jeong posted an article on his Facebook stating that Lee's claim was inappropriate and questioned, "Where were you and what were you doing when others were engaged in democratization movements?" Independent lawmaker Kim Nam-guk, formerly of the Democratic Party, also harshly criticized Lee, saying, "It is truly outrageous to label comrades who acquired criminal records while participating in democratization and labor movements as '44% criminals' and criticize them."

On Facebook, Kim said, "Former leader Lee Nak-yeon, who has two criminal records, is a politician so ugly it’s pathetic," and added, "The media has packaged him well so the general public thinks he has a gentle and mild personality, but he has always been a person twisted and distorted by arrogance and a sense of privilege." He continued, "Lee Nak-yeon's politics have never been progressive," and said, "Nevertheless, he has walked a rose path in the Democratic Party by selling the Honam spirit and Kim Dae-jung spirit just because he was born in Honam."

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