hoto: People Power Party's collection of Lee Jae-myung's quotes. Credit: People Power Party.
On March 21, the People Power Party 국민의힘 published an e-book entitled 138 Shades of Lee Jae-myung 이재명의 138가지 그림자, a collection of quotes from the Democratic Party chairman and leading presidential candidate. According to the foreword by PPP Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong 권성동 국민의힘 원내대표, “the collection of Lee’s quotes paints a dangerous picture that shakes the foundation of the Republic of Korea. As Hitler claimed peace while preparing for war, Lee is merely playing lip service to freedom, the market economy and the US-ROK alliance.”
Supposedly damning Lee quotes include: “We need to reduce working hours and move toward a four-day work week”; “Far-right populism that panders to xenophobia is harmful to the people, just look at how the Nazis ended up”; “Somebody needs to stop the cycle of political revenge - if given the opportunity, I will do so”; “The most expensive and filthy peace is better than a victorious war” - all squarely within South Korean mainstream political sentiment.
Democratic Party spokeswoman An Gui-ryeong 안귀령 민주당 대변인 said: “Thank you for creating this collection of inspiring quotes.” Some PPP supporters demanded the party retract the book, saying the book only helps Lee’s presidential campaign.
