Rep. Kim Young-jin to Author Rhyu Si-min: 'Criticism Piling Up... Illness Has Worsened'

Kim Young-jin, a Democratic Party lawmaker known as an 'original pro-Lee' supporter, remarked that author Rhyu Si-min, who has unleashed intense criticism toward presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, 'seems to have let his anger fester until his illness worsened.' Rep. Kim made these remarks during an appearance on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' on the 23rd.

Rep. Kim criticized expressions used by Author Rhyu, such as the 'theory of inevitable regime defeat' and 'a fish market reeking of rot,' as inappropriate. He assessed that while mistakes within the Democratic Party can be criticized, Rhyu's words and language are becoming excessively excessive and harsh. Kim stated that Author Rhyu has reached a crossroads where he must choose whether to remain a critic or act as a player and a cheerleader. These remarks are interpreted as a veiled criticism of the intent to support a specific candidate, stemming from Rhyu's words and actions during the preliminary primary for the party convention on August 17.

Comparing the Democratic Party to a box of apples, Rep. Kim stated that if one apple inside the box is rotten, the party's role is to surgically remove that specific apple to preserve the rest.

The public conflict between the two is expected to affect the unity within the pro-Lee and anti-Lee camps, as well as future changes in the party's approval ratings.