Three Jeonnam Provincial Council Parties Condemn Lee Nakyon: "A Traitor Who Sold Out the Spirit of Jeonnam"

The so-called "three parties of the Jeonnam Provincial Council"?the Democratic Party of Korea, the Progressive Party, and the Democratic Labor Party?issued a joint statement on May 28, strongly criticizing Lee Nakyon, standing advisor of the New Future Democratic Party, for declaring his support for Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate, calling it a "political betrayal."

원본보기 아이콘

In the statement, they said, "Lee Nakyon is a figure who rose to become a five-term National Assembly member, Jeonnam governor, prime minister, and leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, all based on the overwhelming support of Jeonnam residents." They continued, "For Lee Nakyon to now justify his actions with the pretext of 'preventing the emergence of a monstrous dictatorship' and declare an alliance with forces that sympathized with insurrection is nothing but an arrogant political show and a self-deception that denies democracy."

They added, "Jeonnam is by no means a refuge for politicians who have abandoned their conscience in the face of power," and stated, "We will firmly oppose any attempt to use the current political turmoil as a breakthrough for political comeback by dividing the democratic camp."

They further emphasized, "The history and spirit of Jeonnam, which have upheld the values of democracy, cannot be used as bargaining chips for personal political survival or private gain," and insisted, "Lee Nakyon himself must bear full responsibility for this betrayal, which denies his own political roots."

The three parties of the Jeonnam Provincial Council declared, "Those who have joined hands with insurrectionist forces in this vile act of betrayal and treason must be held politically accountable," and urged, "Immediately cease these anti-democratic actions that seek to prolong insurrection and offer a sincere apology to the people of Jeonnam."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.