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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Minister Park slams commentator Yoo Si-min for comparing President Lee to Yoon

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Planning Minister Park Hong-keun criticized commentator Yoo Si-min for comparing President Lee Jae-myung to former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
  • Park called Yoo's remarks "absurd speculation and curses," particularly the comparison of Lee to Yoon as a "rebel leader."
  • Yoo had argued that both Lee and Yoon governments are dismantling their own foundations and failing to surround themselves with dissenting voices.

Planning Minister Park Hong-keun has strongly criticized commentator Yoo Si-min for drawing parallels between President Lee Jae-myung and former President Yoon Suk-yeol, labeling Yoo's assertions as "absurd speculation and curses."

The most shocking point was comparing President Lee to Yoon Suk-yeol, who was accused of leading a rebellion.

— Park Hong-keunPark Hong-keun criticized Yoo Si-min's comparison of the two presidents.

Park took issue with Yoo's comments made during a YouTube broadcast, where the commentator suggested that President Lee's administration is mirroring Yoon's in its self-destructive tendencies and its failure to heed critical advice. "The most shocking point was comparing President Lee to Yoon Suk-yeol, who was accused of leading a rebellion," Park stated on Facebook on Monday.

Yoo had reportedly said that, like Yoon, President Lee is "dismantling the foundation of his presidency" and that it is "fatal." He also claimed that Lee, like Yoon, does not keep people around him who offer direct criticism. Park vehemently rejected these comparisons, questioning whether President Lee has used state power for political oppression, whether his spouse engaged in "state affairs manipulation," or if he caused diplomatic disasters during overseas trips. "These are deeply insulting accusations," Park asserted.

These are deeply insulting accusations.

— Park Hong-keunPark Hong-keun dismissed Yoo Si-min's claims about President Lee's administration.

Park acknowledged Yoo's contribution to the rise of the Lee administration but suggested that Yoo might be harboring resentment because the current situation is not unfolding as he personally desired. "President Lee's governing style may not align with your personal philosophy, or perhaps a personal relationship soured," Park speculated. "However, you should not be spewing curses indiscriminately. This government has only been in power for a year. It is a well you dug together. Should you spit in it just because you don't like it now?"

It is a well you dug together. Should you spit in it just because you don't like it now?

— Park Hong-keunPark Hong-keun questioned Yoo Si-min's criticism of the current administration.

Democratic Party lawmaker Song Jae-bong echoed Park's sentiments, criticizing Yoo for offering harsh criticism without taking responsibility. Yoo, in his broadcast, had stated that the "frame and theoretical hypothesis" used to critique the Yoon administration also applied to many "similar symptoms" in the Lee administration. He argued that President Lee, who united progressive and reformist forces to win 49% of the vote, has been "dismantling" that coalition himself, describing the president's approach over the past year as that of an "arrogant power holder" lacking communication, empathy, and understanding.

The Yoon Suk-yeol government had no advisors who would say 'no.' I suspect the current Blue House also has no such advisors.

— Yoo Si-minYoo Si-min commented on the lack of dissenting voices in the presidential office.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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