President Lee urges vote, opposition slams 'divisive' remarks

President Lee Jae-myung has intensified his calls for voter participation in the upcoming local elections, framing the choice for citizens as one between "loyal servants" and "malicious rulers." His remarks, made via social media and other platforms, aim to mobilize his base and appeal to moderate voters.

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The price of apathy towards politics is to be ruled by the worst of people.

Lee invoked the words of Greek philosopher Plato, stating, "The price of apathy towards politics is to be ruled by the worst of people." He further elaborated that "elected public officials will either become loyal servants who enrich my life or malicious rulers who destroy the world and inflict pain on the people." He warned that politicians or groups uncomfortable with these statements are "entrenched vested interests that the sovereign must overcome through voting."

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Elected public officials will either become loyal servants who enrich my life or malicious rulers who destroy the world and inflict pain on the people.

The opposition People Power Party has strongly condemned Lee's rhetoric, labeling it as divisive and an attempt to "split the public." Party officials accused Lee of resorting to personal attacks against the opposition, calling them "malicious rulers" and "entrenched vested interests." They urged voters to "judge" him for these actions.

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Politicians or groups uncomfortable with these statements are entrenched vested interests that the sovereign must overcome through voting.

Adding to the controversy, the People Power Party also criticized President Lee for holding up his marked ballot after casting his vote during the early voting period. They have filed a complaint with the police, alleging a violation of election law. The party described the act as a "planned public vote, like in a communist party," carried out in a "last-minute crisis." The president's office has not yet commented on the election law violation complaint.

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The president mobilized all sorts of attacks, such as malicious rulers and entrenched vested interests, against the opposition party. It is an attempt to split the public as the election situation becomes unfavorable. You must judge him.