People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok [Newsis]
People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok [Newsis]

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok launched a sharp attack on President Lee Jae Myung, saying he "can't do anything right."

Writing on his Facebook page Wednesday, Jang said the summit Lee held with the United States last year has obligated South Korea to remit nearly 500 trillion won ($369 billion) to Washington. "If two summits go well, we might end up handing over the whole country," he said.

Jang also said that before becoming president, Lee had spent his entire political career opposing the United States, Japan and the chaebol, yet since taking office he has been "taking selfies with Trump, playing drums with Prime Minister Takaichi, and bowing deeply to chaebol chairmen." He added that "even left-wingers would be furious" at the reversal.

Jang criticized Lee for what he called contradictory behavior toward US President Donald Trump — prostrating himself in Trump's presence, then saying something different once he turned away — arguing that nothing has been resolved on trade, security or North Korea's nuclear program as a result. He also said Lee has stayed silent while Japan provokes South Korea over Dokdo and distorts history in its textbooks. "If he were still in the opposition, he would have been foaming at the mouth calling this a pro-Japan administration," Jang said.

Jang said Lee repeatedly summons chaebol chairmen to Cheong Wa Dae but that the meetings produce no meaningful discussion on reviving the economy and appear focused only on pressuring companies. "When the president zigzags, the entire nation suffers," he said.

Meanwhile, Cheong Wa Dae announced Tuesday that President Lee will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Friday at the presidential office's state guesthouse.

About 150 domestic and foreign journalists are expected to attend. The roughly 90-minute event will be divided into two broad areas — politics and diplomacy, and policy and the economy — and will include opening remarks, a question-and-answer session and closing remarks from the president.


husn7@heraldcorp.com