Lee Nak-yeon on Lee Sang-jik's Party Withdrawal: "He Likely Has Much to Say... Respecting His Decision"

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering opening remarks at the high-level party-government-civil cooperation meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th. At the meeting, detailed execution plans and early implementation measures for the 4th supplementary budget of 7.8 trillion won before Chuseok were discussed. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated that he "respects the decision" of Assemblyman Lee Sang-jik to leave the party.

On the afternoon of the 24th, Lee said in a statement titled "Lee Nak-yeon’s Position on Assemblyman Lee Sang-jik’s Departure from the Party," "Assemblyman Lee must have quite a few things to say." He added, "However, the public’s disappointment and concern regarding Assemblyman Lee and Eastar Jet are significant. I respect his decision and will pay close attention to how he handles the situation going forward."

On the same day in the afternoon, Assemblyman Lee left the Democratic Party, saying, "I will clarify the allegations and return." He apologized, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the public for causing concern due to unpaid wages, layoffs, and other personal and family-related issues. With a spirit of putting the country before the party, I will no longer cause trouble for the party. I will be away from the party for a while."

He also expressed his frustration, saying, "Even though I agreed to reduce the sale price by 15 billion won to successfully acquire Jeju Air and protect employees’ jobs, and even announced that I would donate my entire assets excluding my house, such as stocks or the proceeds from their sale, to resolve unpaid wages, I kept hearing that 'Lee Sang-jik is ultimately the problem.'"

He continued, "With a determination to live or die, I will revive Eastar Jet and the employees’ jobs, sincerely clarify the allegations, and then return," expressing his intention to rejoin the party after resolving the situation.

Earlier, the Democratic Party’s Ethics Inspection Team was investigating Assemblyman Lee regarding the controversy over the layoff notice to 605 Eastar Jet employees and allegations of illegal inheritance to his children. Recently, members of Lee’s election campaign staff were arrested on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act. Although there were expectations that he would be expelled, Lee’s departure from the party has made disciplinary action by the Democratic Party impossible.