Lee Jae-myung, representative of the Democratic Party, said on the 21st regarding the controversy over 'the Democratic Party is centrist-right,' 'Gray is not a bad thing.'
On this day, Lee noted during the party's Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, 'While the debate about centrist-right is at its peak, the world does not consist of just black and white. There is also gray.'
He asked, 'If not conservative, is it progressive? There is also a centrist stance.' and stated, 'Is the centrist stance only in the middle? There can be conservative centrists and progressive centrists as well.'
He continued, 'How can a party responsible for national finances only be “progressive,” and if it is only “conservative,” how can it manage the country?'
He also questioned, 'When managing national affairs, conservative individuals can adopt conservative policies in security and economic areas, while progressive individuals can implement progressive policies in social and cultural areas. Why must one choose between the two?'
Lee pointed out that it is not the first time that past presidents from the progressive camp have referred to the party's identity as 'centrist-right.'
He noted, 'Former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Moon Jae-in also often mentioned that our party's stance is conservative or centrist-right.' and added, 'Our party has a diverse spectrum ranging from progressive to conservative. Depending on the situation, either the conservative or progressive aspect may be emphasized.'
However, he emphasized that the Democratic Party does not completely discard its progressive colors. Lee stated, 'We fundamentally lay down progressive policies and adopt conservative policies when necessary.'
Targeting the People Power Party, he asked, 'Is it right for a party that sympathizes with actions that deny the constitutional order, which is the highest order and value agreed upon by the people, and destroy it through criminal means, to call itself a conservative party?' and said, 'Now, the Democratic Party must take responsibility for that place.'