"The party leader admitted to recording all calls"
"If I were Lee Jun-seok, I would immediately release the transcripts"
Jeon Yeo-ok, former Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Former Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker Jeon Yeok strongly criticized People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, who disclosed part of the recorded phone conversation with former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, saying he "has lost his reason or gone mad."
On the 18th, Jeon wrote on his Facebook, "Lee Jun-seok uploaded the recording file last night with a flourish. He is losing his sense of judgment," sharply criticizing him.
Jeon pointed out two problems with Lee's actions. He said, "First, the party leader has effectively admitted to 'recording all phone calls,'" adding, "It clearly leads to the conclusion that the call with Yoon Seok-yeol was also released by Lee Jun-seok's side."
He continued, "Second, in the text transcribed by Clover Note (software that converts voice to text), only in these two paragraphs was 'jisa' (governor) transcribed as 'isa' (director)," and criticized, "How many errors must there be? I hope he deals with people, not AI."
He also said, "Today, former Governor Won strongly denied that the 'that' in the transcript referred to conflict, stating it meant Yoon Seok-yeol," and claimed, "Putting other things aside, it is clear that Lee hopes Yoon Seok-yeol does not succeed."
Former Jeju Governor and People Power Party presidential candidate Won Hee-ryong demanded Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 18th, to "release the entire recorded phone call file by 6 p.m. today." / Photo by Yonhap News
Jeon added, "Former Governor Won said to upload the entire recording file by 6 PM today," and said, "If I were Lee Jun-seok, I would upload the transcript immediately."
Regarding Lee's comment that it was "just pitiful," Jeon said, "For the first time in a while, we said what needed to be said. Truly, People Power Party is pitiful."
Earlier, former Governor Won claimed that Lee said, "Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol will soon be settled." In response, Lee disclosed part of the recorded phone conversation with former Governor Won on the 10th on his Facebook on the 17th.
According to the transcript converted to text via Clover Note service, former Governor Won expressed concern, saying, "The people fighting in our camp now are people who will all need to know later." Lee replied, "Don't worry too much. They are speaking strongly even during the party admission process," and said, "We are conducting an internal investigation at the Yeouido Research Institute. That will be settled soon."
The interpretation of Lee's mention of "that" in this conversation differed between the two. Former Governor Won claimed "that" referred to former Prosecutor General Yoon, while Lee argued it meant the conflict arising within the party.
The dispute continued on the 18th. Former Governor Won held an emergency press conference that day, stating, "Lee Jun-seok clearly said, 'Former Prosecutor General Yoon will soon be settled,'" and demanded, "Lee should disclose the entire recorded phone conversation file."
However, Lee immediately responded on Facebook, saying only, "It's just pitiful," without further action.
Former Governor Won wrote on Facebook that afternoon, "In the end, Lee Jun-seok did not disclose the original phone call recording file. It is very regrettable," but added, "I believe Lee has effectively admitted his mistake and hope this serves as an opportunity not to repeat such errors."
He continued, "I regret the current conflict situation, but the essence of the problem is to revive the primary election and gain the people's trust to achieve the goal of regime change," urging, "I hope Lee promises to conduct a fair primary election going forward and definitely puts it into practice."
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