Democratic Party spokesperson sparks controversy by comparing President Lee to Yoon Suk-yeol

A spokesperson for South Korea's Democratic Party is embroiled in controversy after drawing a parallel between President Lee Jae-myung and former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Lee Ji-eun, the party's spokesperson, made the remarks during a YouTube broadcast on June 9 while discussing the results of the recent local elections.

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I haven't been in politics for long, but I heard that presidents used to pick candidates. But I started politics during Yoon Suk-yeol's time.

"I haven't been in politics for long, but I heard that presidents used to pick candidates. But I started politics during Yoon Suk-yeol's time," Lee stated. "We saw Yoon Suk-yeol pick a party leader and were very critical, but is the president doing this now? Surely not? I had that thought."

Lee's comments were made in reference to remarks by Rep. Park Ji-won, a five-term lawmaker, who had urged the Democratic Party leadership to heed President Lee Jae-myung's clear statements on the matter. Lee Ji-eun, who was recruited by the Democratic Party for the 2024 general election and currently serves as the party's district committee chair for Mapo-갑 in Seoul, has sparked debate in pro-government online communities. Reactions ranged from questioning if she was an AI deepfake to calls for her dismissal, while some expressed agreement with her sentiment.

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We saw Yoon Suk-yeol pick a party leader and were very critical, but is the president doing this now? Surely not? I had that thought.

Kang Joon-hyun, the party's senior spokesperson, addressed the issue on June 10, telling reporters that the party needs to "clearly understand the content and specific intent of what [Lee] mentioned. We are reviewing it."

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We need to clearly understand the content and specific intent of what [Lee] mentioned. We are reviewing it.