Lee Nak-yon, senior advisor of the New Future Democratic Party, noted on the 4th regarding the results of the 21st presidential election, "I hope the emergence of 'monster dictatorship' ends as an unfounded fear."

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon delivers a speech of support for Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, at the finale of the campaign titled 'Let the Roar Echo, Hear the Echo of Victory' held in front of Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, on 2nd December, one day before the 21st presidential election. /Courtesy of News1

In a post on Facebook that day, Lee congratulated President Lee Jae-myung on the election victory, expressed solace to Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party's candidate, for not winning, and remarked as such.

Lee stated, "This presidential election had the highest voter turnout in 28 years since Kim Dae-jung was elected during the 1997 IMF foreign exchange crisis," and assessed, "The issues of this election were significant for the people and the country." He further specified, "The issues were either dismantling martial law or preventing a dictatorial regime."

He also reiterated concerns that had been raised during the election period. Lee said, "From an early stage, I warned of the emergence of a 'monster dictatorship' where legislative, executive, and judicial powers are all dominated by one person," and stated, "It was my own declaration of conscience toward an uncertain era." He added, "Hopefully, my warning will end as an unfounded fear."

He further pointed out, "However, the National Assembly's plenary session scheduled for tomorrow (the 5th) appeared on the test stage too early."

Lee stated, "Whether the crime of making false statements during elections, which led to President Lee being found guilty by the Supreme Court, will be changed, or whether the criminal procedure laws will be amended to postpone all trials concerning President Lee, is at hand."

Additionally, he remarked, "The Supreme Court's verdict on the charges against former Gyeonggi-do Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young regarding remittances to North Korea will serve as a litmus test for the independence of the judiciary and the adherence to the rule of law," and said, "I hope Korea does not face further tests."

Lee, who served as the prime minister under Moon Jae-in's administration and as the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is a prominent moderate and non-mainstream figure within the democratic camp. Ahead of the 22nd general election, he left the Democratic Party to establish the New Future Democratic Party. On the 27th of last month, just two days before early voting, he declared support for Kim Moon-soo, noting, "We must prevent the rise of a monster dictatorship."

Following Kim's defeat, speculation has arisen that his political standing and options will become even more limited in the future. Previously, after Lee declared support for Kim, Lee was expelled by 'Forum Saye-Jae' and the Kim Dae-jung Foundation, which comprised of figures from Moon Jae-in's government.

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