Lee Jun-seok Rides Ddareungi for First Commute... "Girlfriend Status Is a Secret"

Lee Jun-seok, the newly appointed leader of the People Power Party, is commuting to the National Assembly for the first time on the morning of the 13th by riding a Ddareungi bike from National Assembly Station. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] On the 13th, Lee Jun-seok, the newly appointed leader of the People Power Party, commuted to work by riding Seoul's public bicycle 'Ddareungi.' This was his first commute to the National Assembly since taking office as party leader.

Lee, who usually uses both public transportation and Ddareungi, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Joo Jin-woo Live' on the 11th and said, "Now that kickboard regulations have become stricter, I ride Ddareungi." Although the party leader is officially provided with a vehicle by the party, Lee said, "I understand that a vehicle is normally provided, but I am currently considering whether or not I should use that vehicle."

When asked about his girlfriend, Lee responded by requesting that only public questions be asked of public figures. On the radio that day, the host asked Lee, "Are you currently unmarried?" and Lee answered, "Yes." When the host followed up with, "Do you have a girlfriend?" Lee avoided a direct answer, saying, "You shouldn't keep asking such personal questions."

Nevertheless, when the host pressed again, saying, "You are the party leader, and it's a matter of interest," Lee replied, "I am now a public figure." The host then said, "I won't ask anymore," and emphasized, "A single man in his 30s is leading our conservative party. It's already exciting."

Lee Jun-seok, the newly elected leader of the People Power Party, visited the families of the Cheonan ship victims who were protesting in front of the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 9th before his election. He joined the protest and wiped away tears while talking with the bereaved families.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Lee is scheduled to visit the National Daejeon Cemetery, where the fallen soldiers of the Cheonan ship are buried, on the 14th as his first official schedule. This is a differentiated act from political figures who, after being elected, typically pay respects at the National Seoul Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, where patriots and former presidents are interred.

It was initially reported that Lee considered visiting the Seoul National Cemetery before commuting to the National Assembly, but after careful consideration, he decided to visit the Daejeon Cemetery, where the graves of 55 fallen soldiers who defended the West Sea are located.

Before his election on the 9th, Lee also met with surviving soldiers and bereaved families of the Cheonan ship who were protesting in front of the Ministry of National Defense as his last public act. At that time, Lee, shedding tears, promised to pay respects at the Daejeon Cemetery, saying, "We must also pay deep attention to the victims of my generation who died defending the West Sea."