Candidate Lee Jae-myung in conversation with Dool (Seoul=Yonhap News) A video featuring Lee Jae-myung, former leader and Democratic Party presidential primary candidate, discussing the tasks facing the new administration with author Rhyu Si-min and scholar Dool Kim Yong-ok, was released on the 'Roh Moo-hyun Foundation' YouTube channel on the 15th. 2025.4.15 [Captured from 'Roh Moo-hyun Foundation' YouTube channel, resale and DB prohibited]

Writer Rhyu Si-min, a prominent political commentator within the pan-ruling camp who had previously criticized President Lee Jae-myung’s move to expand his political base through a so-called "reconstruction" strategy, once again voiced his disapproval on the 15th, stating, "I believe the President's choice will end in failure."

During an appearance on the YouTube channel 'Maebul Show' that day, Rhyu stated, "While I respect the path chosen by President Lee, it is a very dangerous decision."

He remarked, "The President is making a grave misjudgment and is acting in a way that is harmful to both himself and the country." He added, "Only when the public accepts these facts and takes action can something be done; ultimately, there is no way forward unless the public intervenes to set things right."

Previously, on the 26th of last month, Rhyu had criticized the President's emphasis on inclusion and integration aimed at expanding into moderate and conservative circles, comparing it to "reconstruction." He had argued, "The people who fervently protected and supported President Lee during his presidential campaign wanted 'expansion and renovation,' not reconstruction."

Reiterating his "reconstruction" theory, Rhyu pointed out, "The Democratic Party is not a party so flawed that it requires reconstruction," adding, "Both reconstruction and redevelopment require public consensus to succeed, and (as it stands) neither will succeed."

He further argued, "I’m not sure if it’s reconstruction or redevelopment, but it seems he has a political realignment in mind. Right or wrong, he is heading down an inevitable path to failure," adding that "the strategic planning of the team supporting the President's unspoken 'reconstruction' and 'redevelopment' schemes is pathetic."

As examples of this "reconstruction (expansion of base)" scheme, Rhyu cited figures such as Lee Byung-tae, former vice-chair of the Presidential Regulatory Rationalization Committee, who resigned after claiming "the May 18th Democratization Movement has become a sacred site," and former lawmaker In Yo-han, a former People Power Party member who was appointed president of the Korean Red Cross.

Regarding the issue of prosecutorial reform, Rhyu specifically asserted, "The reason reform hasn't been achieved in over a year is that the President does not actually want the complete separation of investigation and prosecution," adding, "I believe the President himself blocked the government's own reform plan."

He further criticized, "One might conclude that leaving some supplementary investigative powers with the prosecution is necessary, but the public should have been asked for their understanding. Instead, he handled the matter in a 'Machiavellian' way, having his subordinates handle unpopular tasks while taking the credit for himself."

He added, "President Lee has never once provided a real explanation for why prosecutorial reform has been delayed like this."

Rhyu also mentioned the June 3 local elections, pointing out, "The President promoting Jung Won-oh (who ran for Seoul mayor) on social media was an unfair primary," adding, "He should have stayed out of it, but there were many instances of such intervention in his 'Lee Picks.'"

Rhyu concluded, "When the Democratic Party has Lee Jae-myung as President, both the President and the party are strong," adding, "A party dominated by the President is doomed to fail, and such a party begins the process of disintegration." [Yonhap News]