Rhyu Si-min: "President Lee Is Heading Down a Path of Inevitable Failure"

Writer Rhyu Si-min, a commentator often associated with the broader ruling bloc who previously criticized President Lee Jae-myung’s push for political expansion and integration through his so-called "reconstruction theory," reiterated his criticism on July 15, stating, "I believe the President’s choices will end in failure."

Appearing on the YouTube channel "Mae-bul Show" that day, Rhyu said, "I respect the path President Lee has chosen, but it is a very dangerous choice."

He added, "President Lee is making very wrong judgments and is acting in a way that is harmful to both himself and the country."

He continued, "Only by accepting this as reality and dealing with it can the public do something," adding, "Ultimately, there is no way forward unless the public steps in to correct things."

Previously, on June 26, Rhyu criticized President Lee’s emphasis on an inclusive and integration-oriented stance to expand toward the center and conservatives, comparing it to "reconstruction." He stated at the time, "What the people who passionately protected and supported President Lee during his path to the presidency wanted was an 'extension' (of the existing structure)."

Rhyu brought up his "reconstruction theory" again that day, pointing out, "The Democratic Party of Korea is not a party with so many problems that it needs reconstruction." He added, "Both reconstruction and redevelopment require the public to recognize their necessity to succeed, but (as of now) neither will succeed."

He further argued, "I don't know if it's reconstruction or redevelopment, but it seems he has political realignment in mind. Regardless of whether it is right or wrong, he is heading down a path of inevitable failure," and claimed, "The planning level of the team supporting the 'reconstruction' and 'redevelopment' ideas that the President has not explicitly mentioned is terrible."

As examples of this "reconstruction (expansion)" strategy, Rhyu cited Lee Byung-tae, the former vice-chairman of the Presidential Committee on Regulatory Reform who resigned after remarks that "May 18 has become a sacred area," and former lawmaker In Yo-han, who was appointed as the president of the Korean Red Cross after leaving the People Power Party.

Regarding the issue of prosecution reform, Rhyu specifically claimed, "The reason reform has not been achieved for over a year is because the President does not want the complete separation of investigation and indictment," adding, "I believe the President is the one who prevented the government's proposal from being submitted."

He further criticized the President, saying, "He may have judged that it is better to leave some supplementary investigation rights with the prosecution, but he should have sought the public's understanding." He added, "He handled the issue in a 'Machiavellian' way, making subordinates take the blame for unpopular tasks while he took the credit for popular ones."

He also noted, "President Lee has never once offered a real explanation for why prosecution reform is being delayed like this."

Rhyu also mentioned the June 3 local elections, pointing out, "The President promoting Jung Won-oh (who ran as a candidate for Seoul Mayor) on social media was an unfair primary," and added, "He should not have engaged in 'Lee's pick' (President Lee's selection), but there were many instances where he intervened in such a way."

Rhyu concluded, "When it is President Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party, both the President and the Democratic Party are strong," adding, "A party that is dominated by the President will fail, and the dissolution of that party will begin."

※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.