Jung Jin-seok "Lee Jun-seok and Hong Jun-pyo, Watch Your Words"... Lee Jun-seok "No Reason to Be Cautious of Yoon Seok-yeol"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] On the 13th, Jeong Jin-seok, a member of the People Power Party, urged restraint regarding the strong remarks made by former Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok and independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo. He warned that such comments could damage the party's image ahead of the party convention. Former Supreme Council member Lee countered by saying that while freedom of expression should be allowed for President Moon Jae-in, applying a "harsh language" frame to party members is a double standard.

On the same day, Jeong said through social media, "The words of Lee Jun-seok, better known as a political commentator, are precarious," adding, "No matter how much he has declared his candidacy for the party convention, he should not call senior party lawmakers 'ajeossi' (middle-aged men)." He also said, "Many people in our party want to recruit certain individuals, but they should not be compared to 'yukwoo' (Korean native beef) or 'imported beef'."

Former Supreme Council member Lee appeared on CBS Radio the day before and referred to former floor leader Joo Ho-young of the People Power Party as 'ajeossi' and used expressions like 'yukwoo' while urging former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl to join the party.

Jeong appealed to lawmaker Hong, saying, "Please retract your harsh words," and asked, "If you call someone who served as Prosecutor General 'gangster leadership,' does that mean the Korean prosecution, which Hong was part of, is a gangster organization?"

He expressed concern, saying, "Although the party convention is approaching, I worry that such inappropriate remarks might damage the image of the People Power Party," and added, "I hope those who think their words are dynamic and lively will be careful not to appear reckless."

Jeong pointed out, "The party convention should be a melting pot where the party unites," and said, "We must not lose dignity. Are we going to willingly take on the label of a party of harsh language again?" He continued, "It is entirely our responsibility to create an environment within the party so that excellent external leaders can join the People Power Party without hesitation."

Former Supreme Council member Lee responded to Jeong's criticism via social media, calling it "excessive."

He said, "As a member of the party, stating that it is right for outsiders to join the party and run in elections, and comparing that to the beef origin labeling policy, should not be labeled as harsh language; such criticism is excessive." Lee also argued, "Just because former Prosecutor General Yoon's presidential approval rating is somewhat high, the party has no reason to hold back political expressions out of consideration for him." He criticized, "While demanding maximum freedom of expression for the sitting president, activating a harsh language frame when advising a presidential candidate within our party by using analogies is a double standard."

Regarding the use of terms like 'ajeossi' for former floor leader Joo, he said, "The phrase 'ajeossi-deul iyagi' (middle-aged men's talk) is shortened to 'ajaetalk,' and I don't understand why this term should not be used politically."