"I Saw Myself Become Party Leader from Prison..." Lee Jun-seok Steps in to Defuse Controversy Over Mocking Park

Lee Jun-seok, the newly appointed leader of the People Power Party, is delivering opening remarks at the first Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party who entered politics as a 'Park Geun-hye kid,' sparked controversy by saying to former President Park Geun-hye, who appointed him, "I hope you found comfort seeing me become party leader from prison." Supporters of former President Park are opposing this, saying that Lee effectively mocked her.

On the 17th, in an interview with the Chosun Ilbo, Lee responded to the question "Have you visited former President Park?" by saying, "(I have) not visited and have no plans to visit in the future."

A post by Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, uploaded on his Facebook on the 17th. Photo by Lee, the leader's Facebook capture.

As the controversy continued, Lee posted the full interview text on his Facebook page that day. In the released original text, Lee said, "I want to succeed as party leader so that she (former President Park) will be evaluated as 'having made a good talent recruitment decision, having a good eye for people.'" He added, "Sometimes I wonder about her. I wonder if she has seen me become party leader from prison..."

Lee continued, "There has been a lot of talk about that expression in the Chosun Ilbo report, but when a long interview is condensed, expressions that cause misunderstandings can appear like that," and "Since many people are curious about what I actually said, it seems the media outlet updated and posted the original text without any condensation exactly as I spoke, and there is nothing problematic in my remarks."

Earlier, during the party leadership election, Lee expressed his position that "the impeachment of former President Park was justified" in a joint speech in Daegu and Gyeongbuk on the 3rd. At that time, as a candidate, Lee appealed, "If you entrust me with the party leadership, I will work to ensure that the evaluation that former President Park made a very good decision in recruiting Lee Jun-seok is recognized and that her honor is restored."