Lee Sang-jik's Decision to Leave Party... Ruling Party: "We Respect It" vs Opposition: "Temporary Departure? Is Leaving a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card?"

Isangjik "I will temporarily leave the party... will clarify suspicions"
Lee leader "There will be quite a bit to say... attention on future response"
Opposition "Must resign from assembly member position", "Only thinking about party's survival" criticism pours in

Lee Sang-jik, founder of Eastar Jet and member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting at the press conference for his withdrawal held at the National Assembly Communication Office on the afternoon of the 24th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 24th that he "respects the personal decision" regarding Representative Lee Sang-jik's withdrawal from the party. Meanwhile, voices from the opposition are growing louder, urging that "what the public wants from Representative Lee is his resignation from the National Assembly."

On the same day, regarding Representative Lee's voluntary withdrawal amid controversies over his responsibility for notifying 605 layoffs as the founder of Eastar Jet and allegations of illegal inheritance to his children, Lee Nak-yeon said, "He must have a lot to say," but added, "However, the public's disappointment and concern toward Representative Lee and Eastar Jet are significant. I respect his personal decision and will pay close attention to future responses."

In a press conference at the National Assembly that afternoon, Representative Lee declared his withdrawal, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the public for causing concern due to unpaid wages, layoffs, and other personal and family-related issues."

He continued, "With a spirit of putting the country before the party, I will no longer cause trouble for the party. I will temporarily leave the party. With a resolve of 'fight to the death,' I will revive Eastar Jet and the employees' jobs and sincerely clarify the allegations."

However, the opposition criticized Representative Lee's decision as "not a genuine reflection." Hwang Kyuhwan, deputy spokesperson of the People Power Party, said in a statement that day, "The press conference was not a sincere reflection and apology but a repetition of the stance that 'I did my best, so it is unfair,'" adding, "The only sincere words seemed to be an apology for being a burden to Leader Lee Nak-yeon and party members."

He further pointed out, "He should apologize to the public and resign from the National Assembly to face the investigation as a civilian," and criticized, "It is also proper to present concrete solutions to keep the promise of resolving the Eastar Jet crisis."

On the morning of the 22nd, participants hold placards at the "Press Conference Urging Resolution of the Eastar Jet Mass Layoff Crisis" held in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

Cho Hyemin, spokesperson for the Justice Party, said at a briefing that day, "It is outrageous and absurd to say 'temporarily leaving the party' instead of promising to resign from the National Assembly or resolve unpaid wages," strongly criticizing, "He did not even blink an eye while Eastar Jet workers were pushed to the brink, but now that his political life is threatened, he seems to be in a hurry."

She added, "From Representative Kim Hong-gul and Representative Park Deok-heum to Representative Lee Sang-jik, do they think leaving the party is some kind of pardon?" and criticized, "Is it enough to only think about the party's survival? None of them even consider properly taking responsibility for the mistakes they committed."

Spokesperson Cho urged, "It has become routine for politicians who caused social controversies to leave the party and then return after some time, openly talking about rejoining. Representative Lee Sang-jik must resign from his position immediately."

Earlier, the Eastar Jet labor union claimed that "even if Representative Lee leaves the party, the mass layoff crisis will not be resolved."

Park Isam, chairman of the Eastar Jet Pilots Union, appeared on a radio broadcast on the 22nd and said, "Expelling Representative Lee will not bring any solution. He will continue to hold his seat in the National Assembly," pointing out, "The 1,500 Eastar Jet affiliate employees who lost their jobs and were driven to the streets are being abandoned by both the company and the government."

He urged, "If expelled, Representative Lee will be able to do as he pleases. Ultimately, the key is how the government tries to resolve this issue."