Lee Suk-yeon, former chairman of the National Unity Committee, said on the 20th that he will serve as head of the fundraising group for Rep. Kwak Sang-eon of the Democratic Party of Korea, a son-in-law of late President Roh Moo-hyun, while criticizing politicians who invoke the "spirit of Roh Moo-hyun" selectively. His stated aim is to back politicians who put constitutional conviction ahead of partisan logic.
Lee explained his decision in a Facebook post the same day, saying he was "supporting conviction rather than a party, and the Constitution rather than a camp." Noting that Kwak was the only lawmaker in his party to vote against creating a criminal offense for distorting the law and against fully abolishing prosecutors' investigative powers, Lee said, "What is truly difficult is saying 'no' when your own side is going the wrong way."
Lee also took direct aim at the way a former president's name is used for political purposes. "The spirit of Roh Moo-hyun means not turning a blind eye to the faults of your own side and not bending your convictions," he said. "It cannot be a political license to be pulled out whenever needed."
He also made clear his principle that the Constitution comes before any camp. Lee, who stepped down after criticizing the government's judicial reform, stressed that "a party line cannot stand above the Constitution, and a camp cannot substitute for conscience," adding, "I will join hands across camps with those who defend the Constitution, and I will confront any power that shakes it, whichever camp it belongs to."