Maverick ex-P.M. continues to spit controversial remarks, including accusations of McCarthyism


Rep. Lee Hae-chan of the Democratic United Party is falling back on his outspoken habits while the debate over the ideological tilt of progressive lawmakers flares again.

Lee’s recent outburst, broadcasted over a live radio show, could however work in his favor in the DUP leadership race, as party members seek stronger leadership. In the DUP chairperson elections, Lee is trailing Rep. Kim Han-gill.
During a live telephone interview with a local radio station on Tuesday, Lee became angry when the presenter focused on comments from Rep. Lim Soo-kyung of the DUP. Lee then hung up after complaining that the presenter needed to stick to pre-arranged topics. 

On June 1, Lim reportedly referred to North Korean defectors and Saenuri Party lawmaker Ha Tae-keung as “traitors.” Lim later explained that by traitor she was referring specifically to Ha.

Lim, who is working for Lee’s party leadership campaign, was a student activist who visited North Korea in 1989 without permit and was jailed for violating the National Security Law.

“I will face the neo-McCarthyism of the Saenuri Party and the conservative media,” Lee said at a press conference held on Tuesday. Lee also said that the Saenuri Party’s efforts to remove the Unified Progressive Party’s Lee Seog-gi and Kim Jae-yeon from office were “evil McCarthyism.” The UPP’s Lee and Kim have been under pressure to step down in connection to irregularities in the minority party’s proportional representative selection and involvement in pro-North Korean movement in the early 1990s.

In addition to Lim and UPP lawmakers, the conservative Saenuri Party is also questioning Lee’s ideological stance.

On June 4, Lee stated that the National Assembly passing the North Korean human rights law would be a “diplomatic discourtesy,” prompting strong criticism from the ruling party.

Lee, a six-time lawmaker, has long been known for his outspokenness and short temper.

While serving as prime minister under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, he often argued strongly with opposition party lawmakers in his official capacity. Lee is also considered to have caused Grand National Party’s boycotting of parliamentary sessions in 2004 when he referred to the conservative party in pejorative terms.

Lee also swore at and assaulted a journalist in 1987 over a report concerning the rift between former presidents Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung in the run up to the presidential election in that year.

By Choi He-suk  (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)