A photo of former President Moon Jae-in kissing a cat at Pyeongsan Bookstore in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do is becoming a hot topic. Coincidentally, this coincided with the time when Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was in crisis due to the first trial.
On the evening of the 20th, former President Moon posted a photo of himself with his cat on Facebook, saying, “There is a lovely and affectionate Dabong at Pyeongsan Bookstore.” He then said that a new cat named ‘Manbok’ came to the bookstore and said, “Manbok likes Dabongi. Fortunately, Dabong also takes care of Manbok well,” he wrote.
The reason Pyeongsan Bookstore’s leisurely daily life attracted attention is because the Democratic Party is in extreme confusion. After Representative Lee was sentenced to a heavy sentence of one year in prison and two years probation in the first trial of the Public Official Election Act case on the 15th, the shock waves within the party have not gone away. The atmosphere is tense as the first trial of the perjury teacher case is scheduled to be sentenced on the 25th.
In a phone call on the 21st, a close person said, “What is so leisurely about former President Moon?” and “As an adult in the Republic of Korea, I am disappointed and disappointed that there is no comment during the crisis.” In response, a pro-Moon lawmaker refuted this, saying, “It is a simple sharing of daily life, but associating it with Representative Lee is an overinterpretation.”
The fact that former President Moon has been sending messages at odd times is also adding to the controversy. On the 31st of last month, former President Moon recommended the book, “This shit will pile up and become a festival,” and on that day, the Democratic Party released a recording of a phone call between President Yoon Seok-yeol and political broker Myung Tae-gyun, sparking a rental offensive by the opposition party. On the 21st of last month, when President Yoon and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon had a private meeting, the book “It’s Enough If You Give It to Me” was recommended.
In February of last year, the day after the arrest warrant for Representative Lee was requested, former President Moon posted a photo of himself hiking and planting potatoes, receiving protests from Representative Lee’s supporters.
There was also public criticism from the party, asking, “Didn’t you say you wanted to be forgotten?” Former Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk wrote on Facebook on the 1st, “Former President Moon, stop selling Sinseonnole books and stand at the vanguard of candlelight vigils and become a shield for the people.” He then said, “It is so inappropriate to post your essay and book review impressions on social media in these times. Please refrain from sending really tactless and thoughtless Facebook messages.”
Meanwhile, there is a view that as the trial issue grows, the distance between former President Moon and Representative Lee will inevitably grow further. This is because the major trials that Representative Lee is currently facing began during former President Moon’s term. The investigation into the Daejeon-dong development corruption case began in earnest when the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office formed a dedicated investigation team in 2021 during the Moon Jae-in administration.
One pro-Moon lawmaker said, “Pro-Moon candidates, including Lee Nak-yeon, raised strong suspicions from the time of the candidate primary in order to keep Representative Lee in check, and former President Moon did not block the investigation. Representative Lee also knows this,” he claimed.
Kang Bohyun ([email protected])
How does Professor Kim interpret the public’s reaction to the seemingly mundane timing of former President Moon’s social media posts coinciding with significant news events surrounding Representative Lee?
## World Today News Interview: Former President Moon’s Public Statements Amidst Lee Jae-myung’s Crisis
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News. Today, we are discussing the recent public statements of former President Moon Jae-in, happening amidst the legal challenges faced by Democratic Party leader, Lee Jae-myung. Joining us are two distinguished guests:
* **Professor Kim Ji-hye**, political science expert at Seoul National University, known for her insightful analysis of Korean politics
* **Ms. Park Soo-jin**, a journalist specializing in social media trends and their impact on political discourse.
Thank you both for joining us.
**Section 1: Timing and Interpretation of Former President Moon’s Statements**
**(To Professor Kim)** Professor Kim, former President Moon has been sharing seemingly mundane topics like book recommendations and photos of his daily life. However, these posts often coincide with significant news events surrounding Representative Lee. How do you interpret this timing and the public’s reaction to it?
**(To Ms. Park)** Ms. Park, from a social media perspective, how are these posts perceived by the public? Do you see evidence of deliberate messaging or unintentional transparency? What are the potential risks and benefits for former President Moon in using this platform in this way?
**Section 2: The Impact on the Democratic Party**
**(To Professor Kim)** Professor Kim, some argue that former President Moon’s silence on Representative Lee’s legal troubles creates a void in leadership within the Democratic Party. Do you agree? What are the potential consequences of this perceived distance between the two prominent figures?
**(To Ms. Park)** Ms. Park, how has social media amplified this narrative of a rift within the Democratic Party? How are online conversations influencing public opinion and potentially impacting the party’s future strategy?
**Section 3: Historical Context and Potential Future Implications**
**(To Professor Kim)** Professor Kim, the article mentions that investigations into Representative Lee began during former President Moon’s term. How significant is this historical context in shaping the current dynamic between the two individuals?
**(To both guests)** What are your thoughts on the future relationship between former President Moon and Representative Lee? How might this situation evolve as Representative Lee’s legal battles continue?
**Closing Remarks:**
Thank you both for your insightful perspectives. This complex situation highlights the intricate interplay between politics, social media, and public perception. As events unfold, World Today News will continue to provide in-depth analysis and keep you informed.
