Online forums for criticizing lawmakers could have many side effects
Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leading candidate to become the head of the largest opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), is making himself a target of criticism. Last Saturday, Lee proposed "opening an online platform where party members can publicly speak ill of lawmakers." He pointed out that many party workers, unable to express their views, find out legislators' phone numbers and send them text messages. Lee then proposed to bring them out into the open by selecting "today's most criticized lawmaker" or "the most protested legislator of the month."
Lee's proposal drew unfavorable responses even from his party. His colleagues said Lee's idea is risky even if one regards it as intended to encourage free expression or expand direct democracy. Lee had previously been under fire for his staunch supporters shutting down possibilities for public debate by not allowing space for critical voices. Lee, who lost the last presidential election by a razor-thin margin, was himself a victim of Korea's "fandom politics," shown by some of former President Moon Jae-in's ardent supporters and those of other popular political figures. If this fan culture remains strong, such an online platform could potentially turn into a problematic, toxic space.
Lee's gaffes did not end there. He said that many supporters of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) are among the low-income and those with lower educational backgrounds, influenced by the media environment. The comment was seen by some as disparaging towards the underprivileged. In addition, commenting on the death of a witness while being investigated for the alleged use of the municipal authority's credit card by Lee's wife, he said, "What does it have to do with me?" In an apparent reference to the reported reliance on shamanism by President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Kun-hee, Lee added, "All this may be because we are becoming a shamanistic country."
It was the fourth incident of a death during an investigation into Lee's alleged wrongdoings. Still, the former presidential hopeful did not offer a word of consolation. Rep. Lee is the leading contender for the DPK leadership at its convention later this month. He has not given up his presidential ambitions, either. Given that, Lee ought to be more careful about his words and behavior. If he keeps being criticized, it could lead to a crisis of trust. Lee should ponder why the governing PPP is attacking him for not giving up his presidential ambitions.
Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the leading candidate to become the head of the largest opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), is making himself a target of criticism. Last Saturday, Lee proposed "opening an online platform where party members can publicly speak ill of lawmakers." He pointed out that many party workers, unable to express their views, find out legislators' phone numbers and send them text messages. Lee then proposed to bring them out into the open by selecting "today's most criticized lawmaker" or "the most protested legislator of the month."
Lee's proposal drew unfavorable responses even from his party. His colleagues said Lee's idea is risky even if one regards it as intended to encourage free expression or expand direct democracy. Lee had previously been under fire for his staunch supporters shutting down possibilities for public debate by not allowing space for critical voices. Lee, who lost the last presidential election by a razor-thin margin, was himself a victim of Korea's "fandom politics," shown by some of former President Moon Jae-in's ardent supporters and those of other popular political figures. If this fan culture remains strong, such an online platform could potentially turn into a problematic, toxic space.
Lee's gaffes did not end there. He said that many supporters of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) are among the low-income and those with lower educational backgrounds, influenced by the media environment. The comment was seen by some as disparaging towards the underprivileged. In addition, commenting on the death of a witness while being investigated for the alleged use of the municipal authority's credit card by Lee's wife, he said, "What does it have to do with me?" In an apparent reference to the reported reliance on shamanism by President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Kun-hee, Lee added, "All this may be because we are becoming a shamanistic country."
It was the fourth incident of a death during an investigation into Lee's alleged wrongdoings. Still, the former presidential hopeful did not offer a word of consolation. Rep. Lee is the leading contender for the DPK leadership at its convention later this month. He has not given up his presidential ambitions, either. Given that, Lee ought to be more careful about his words and behavior. If he keeps being criticized, it could lead to a crisis of trust. Lee should ponder why the governing PPP is attacking him for not giving up his presidential ambitions.
