President Lee urges Democratic Party to avoid 'warfare,' embrace 'rational competition'

President Lee Jae-myung has called for an end to what he described as "warfare" within the Democratic Party, urging members to engage in "rational competition" instead of resorting to personal attacks and fabrications. Speaking at a press briefing following his European tour and attendance at the G7 summit, Lee expressed his dismay over the internal conflicts plaguing the party.

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Must we wage war against each other when we are on the same side, within the same camp?

"Must we wage war against each other when we are on the same side, within the same camp?" Lee questioned, criticizing tactics such as insults, slander, and the creation of false narratives. He stressed that competition should be based on facts and that fabricating stories is a "bad deed" that causes irreparable damage.

Lee likened some internal tactics to the "scarecrow method," where false accusations are made to mislead others. He warned that such actions, often carried out "in hiding," constitute "warfare" that damages trust and relationships. He implored party members to remember that internal divisions should not be greater than the challenges posed by external opponents.

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Do not fabricate facts. Do not create false facts.

The president also broadened his criticism to inter-party politics, lamenting the current state of political discourse. He observed that instead of engaging in rational debates based on facts, politicians are resorting to "gang fights" with "cheap expressions" and "slander based on fabricated facts." Lee concluded by noting the public's discomfort with such behavior, suggesting it detracts from the true purpose of politics.

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Politics is not being done, but gang fights are happening. How uncomfortable must it be for the public to watch?