Lee Jae-myung in NYT Interview: "We Will Experience a Bloodless Revolution"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said in an interview with the American daily The New York Times (NYT) that "the dam will eventually collapse" and "we will experience a revolution without bloodshed."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the 10th, NYT reported on Lee's interview, evaluating that Lee is highly likely to be elected president after President Yoon Suk-yeol.

NYT mentioned that Lee conducted a live broadcast on his cellphone after President Yoon declared martial law and appealed to the Korean people to stop the soldiers trying to seize the National Assembly.

It added, "Lee has reached a major turning point in Korean democracy and his political career," and "Facing legal charges, Lee has secured a stronger political position than ever before."

In an interview held at the National Assembly the previous day, Lee revealed plans to vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon, saying, "We will continue until he is impeached," and "More people are joining the struggle more passionately." He added, "We will try to finish by Christmas."

Lee explained the process of moving to the National Assembly after the declaration of martial law on the 3rd and spoke about conducting a YouTube live broadcast. He said, "I knew I could be arrested by the military, but I thought at least people could watch me being detained."

He then placed responsibility for the current toxic political environment on President Yoon, naming himself a victim of Yoon's political revenge.

Lee said, "I know the ultimate result of this endless political revenge repeating itself is civil war," and "The president has the responsibility to use his power for national unity, not as a tool for personal emotional expression or private gain." He also stated that if he becomes president, he will break this vicious cycle.

He described the members of the People Power Party who follow the party line as being "on the path to treason," saying that political negotiations other than persuasion are impossible.

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