Lee Junseok Says "Candidate Na Kyungwon Shed Tears Over Her Own Sorrow... I Find the Comparison Unpleasant"

Lee Jun-seok, the People Power Party's presidential candidate (left), is shedding tears while participating in a placard protest on the morning of the 9th in front of the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, calling for the restoration of honor for the Cheonan war veterans and victims.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] Former Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok, who challenged the People Power Party leadership race, showed tears on the 9th when meeting with survivors and bereaved families of the Cheonan ship, expressing displeasure at being compared to candidate Na Kyung-won.

Lee appeared on KBS1's 'Sasageon-geon' that day and said, "Yesterday, Representative Na Kyung-won happened to shed tears during the debate, and there are cases where it is contrasted with mine," adding, "Personally, I find such comparisons unpleasant. They are completely different in nature."

Earlier, Na Kyung-won, a former lawmaker and a candidate for the People Power Party leadership, showed signs of tearing up during a candidate debate the previous day amid attacks from former Supreme Council member Lee and lawmaker Joo Ho-young.

Na said in a trembling voice, "When I was the floor leader, I fulfilled my responsibilities, so I was subjected to endless persecution from the Moon Jae-in administration," and asked, "Did anyone protect me when such a frame was imposed and I was verbally abused?"

She also choked up again, saying, "Politics is not just about the head or just about the mouth. Please remember that politics is done with the heart."

Na Kyung-won attended and spoke at the People Power Party's 1st National Convention 'Right Voice Debate' held on the morning of the 8th at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Hyochang-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee said, "I have always felt indignation that the state does not properly treat the Cheonan victims, their bereaved families, and surviving soldiers to this extent, so I suddenly became overwhelmed," adding, "Representative Na Kyung-won shed tears over her own sorrow."

On the 9th, Lee visited a protest site in front of the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul and referred to former Democratic Party deputy spokesperson Cho Sang-ho's remark that "the captain of the Cheonan ship drowned his subordinates," saying, "There are still people who pay out of pocket for treatment of trauma from 11 years ago, so is it necessary to insult them to this extent? Whatever else, this is too harsh," showing tears.