Lee Jun-seok, Asked "Do You Have a Girlfriend?" Responds, "I'm Not a Celebrity... Will No Longer Answer Personal Questions"

On the 11th, at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, newly elected party leader Lee Jun-seok is seen with a bright expression during the party convention. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, who had stated he would not answer personal questions, responded "I do" when repeatedly asked if he has a girlfriend, but added, "I plan not to answer questions about my private life going forward."

In an interview on the 15th with the Chosun Ilbo podcast "Kang Inseon & Bae Seonggyu's Morning Live," Lee was asked, "At 36 years old and unmarried, many people are curious, do you have a girlfriend?" to which he replied, "I do."

Lee cautiously added, "She is not famous. It is difficult to go too deeply into such matters."

Lee has been receiving intense public attention since his election on the 11th as the first-ever leader in his 30s of the main opposition party in Korea's constitutional history.

On the 13th, Lee attracted attention by using the public bicycle system "Ddareungi" for his first commute to the National Assembly. Some critics claimed that the shoes he wore at that time were expensive luxury brand "Ferragamo," and that using Ddareungi for his commute was a "showy display."

Regarding the "Ferragamo controversy," Lee actively refuted the claims by posting a photo of his shoes on Facebook that day. The shoes he revealed are known to be from a domestic mid-priced brand.

Regarding the blunt style of his speech, which some have criticized as "rude" or "arrogant," Lee responded, "Vegetables cannot be both crispy and soft," and added, "I gratefully accept and try to incorporate the criticisms from those who evaluate me, but I could become something as unlikely as a 'warm iced Americano.'"