Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party (co-chair of the election committee), noted on the 28th, 'While the 'elephant that uses chopsticks' is a problem, the 'absolute and unchecked power' is a bigger issue.'
The previous day, Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate of the Reform Party, pointed out during the third TV debate moderated by the National Election Commission that Lee Jae-myung, the candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, had 'purchased 2.8 tons of fruit with a corporate card. Do you perhaps have an elephant at home?'
Lee Jun-seok's 'chopstick remark' refers to a comment that was allegedly made by Lee Jae-myung's son, which was disclosed by the Garosero Research Institute, a YouTube channel that was established by former MBC reporter Kim Se-hee, and is presumed to have been posted on an internet bulletin board in 2021.
Ahn noted on that day via social media, 'Lee Jae-myung said he would achieve 'the development of conservatism and play a role as a rational conservative,' but this denies party politics and poses a direct threat to liberal democracy, which is a dangerous statement.'
Ahn argued, 'For the leader of a large opposition party to seize control of the National Assembly and become the head of the executive branch, claiming to play the role of conservatism, is nothing short of proclaiming an 'unchecked power' that is free from oversight.'
He added, 'Lee Jae-myung is effectively proclaiming an 'unchecked one-party dictatorship' wrapped in sweet words. It is akin to saying we will move toward a system like that of the Workers' Party of Korea in North Korea.'
Ahn further stated, 'If Lee Jae-myung becomes president, the Democratic Party has undermined the separation of powers, engaged in legislative monopolization and excessive power abuse. Our constitutional order and liberal democracy will be shaken to its roots, leading South Korea down an irreversible path of historical regression.'
He pointed out, 'For Lee Jae-myung's words and actions to have authenticity, the Democratic Party must first engage in serious reflection and remorse regarding the destruction of liberal democracy and the chaos of our constitutional order. Before talking about 'true conservatism' or 'true democracy,' I hope you first become a 'true person' and reconsider what 'true democracy' means.'