Lee Jae-myung: "Some People Say I'm Like Korea's Trump... Yoon Should Be Impeached"

Lee Jae-myung WSJ Interview

"The president is elected by the people. Not by the 'People Power' party."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on the possibility of defections from the ruling party during the upcoming impeachment vote against President Yoon Suk-yeol, saying, "Water quickly overflows once it crosses the limit line. They will choose to live together rather than die."

Interview with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, published in the American daily The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). WSJ homepage

In an interview with the US Wall Street Journal (WSJ) released on the 9th (local time) from Seoul, Lee stated that as long as President Yoon remains in power, there is a risk of a recurrence of the December 3 emergency martial law situation, and he insisted, "He must be impeached to restore normal democracy."

Regarding Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, who called for an "orderly early resignation of President Yoon," Lee criticized it as a "second act of rebellion." He emphasized that "this is unconstitutional and should be subject to criminal punishment," stressing that the president is elected by the people, not by the People Power Party.

On the 7th, the impeachment vote against President Yoon in the National Assembly plenary session was boycotted en masse by the ruling People Power Party members, resulting in a failure due to insufficient quorum. The opposition, including the Democratic Party, plans to push for the second impeachment motion to be submitted to the plenary session on the 14th, Korean time.

Lee emphasized that only eight more votes are needed for the impeachment motion to pass. He likened it to water quickly overflowing once it reaches its limit, suggesting that ruling party lawmakers will "choose to live together rather than die."

The National Assembly has a total of 300 seats, with the opposition, including the Democratic Party, holding 192 seats. To pass the impeachment motion, more than two-thirds, or 200 votes, are required. Lee's remarks imply that defections among ruling party members are inevitable. Previously, six defections were confirmed during the vote on the Kim Geon-hee special law, which took place just before the impeachment vote and the ruling party members' exit.

The WSJ cited public opinion polls indicating that Lee has a high chance of winning in an early presidential election in South Korea, which would be held if President Yoon is impeached or resigns. However, Lee did not comment on whether he would run in the presidential election during the interview.

In the interview, Lee described himself as a "realist." He said he does not see himself as "hyperpartisan," adding, "Some people say I am like 'Korea's Trump'." The WSJ noted that Lee was once called "Korea's Bernie Sanders" due to progressive policies such as universal basic income, but recently, comparisons have shifted due to judicial risks, passionate supporters, and his presence on social media.

Lee also said that President Yoon "wants to continue being dragged into" the Ukraine war. This refers to North Korea dispatching troops to Russia and South Korea leaving open the possibility of additional support to Ukraine. However, Lee expressed concern that such support could pose national security risks. He also criticized President Yoon for unnecessarily escalating tensions with China in their bilateral relations.

Lee praised the explicit goal of Donald Trump, the US president-elect, to end the Ukraine war and his interest in a renewed summit with Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea. He said, "President-elect Trump tried things that others thought were difficult," and made positive remarks about Trump's first term North Korea policy.

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