'Legitimacy debate is pointless,' Democratic lawmaker says, defending Yu Si-min's remarks

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Yoon Geon-young said Tuesday that the so-called "legitimacy debate" that has recently flared within the party is "all pointless."

Speaking on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus," Yoon said the dispute "runs on a completely different track from what the public cares about," adding that the party has failed to make clear what people want from it and where it should be headed.

On the controversy surrounding writer Yu Si-min's remarks — widely referred to within the party as the "reconstruction theory" — Yoon said he hoped people would "listen to what he actually said, setting aside whether you view it positively or negatively." He added that Yu "did not make those comments out of any political self-interest."

Yoon said the party appeared "not in a posture to listen properly." He added: "Isn't it clear there are warning signs in the situation inside and outside the party? I described the local election results as a 'preview of a warning,' and I think Yu felt a serious warning needed to be issued."

Yoon also pushed back on speculation that Yu harbored presidential ambitions. "This is someone who even turned down the prime ministership — why would he run for president?" he said, adding that he saw Yu's message as "a kind of preventive shot."

He acknowledged that some of Yu's language was excessive and rough, but said Yu should be judged by a different standard. "Yu is not a player on the field — he's a commentator and analyst. I do wonder why people are applying the standards meant for players to him," Yoon said.

Meanwhile, ahead of a luncheon meeting between President Lee Jae Myung and former President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday, Yoon expressed hope that the gathering would "serve as an opportunity to work through issues within the party and pressing political matters."

He recalled that when Lee was party leader, the two had met and coined the term "myeongmun jeongdang" — a phrase evoking a party of distinction — helping to raise the level of unity and overcome a period of crisis.