Lingering Tensions in Leadership Since Party Entry
Yoon "We Communicated Sufficiently"
On the 2nd, Yoon Seok-yeol, the leader of the People Power Party, visited the National Assembly and performed a gesture symbolizing the presidential candidates joining the party during his visit to Lee Jun-seok, the party leader. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who decided to join the People Power Party without consulting the party leadership, met with the party leadership in a warm and friendly atmosphere despite a series of circumstances.
On the morning of the 2nd, Yoon visited the National Assembly, greeted the People Power Party leadership, and held a welcoming ceremony. He stated, "I believed that a 'big tent' encompassing conservatives, centrists, and progressives was necessary," adding, "For a grand victory and regime change, it was the right decision to join the People Power Party earlier than expected to gain broader support and to stand as a member of the party alongside many citizens who wish for the normalization of our country."
On the same day, Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, welcomed Yoon’s entry with a beaming smile. He said, "Last week, during the so-called 'chimaek meeting,' I mentioned the phrase 'daedongsoi' (great similarity), but I think we need to replace it with 'daedongdangel' (great unity)," adding, "I am grateful that Yoon boarded our primary election bus. As promised, the party and leadership understand that our role is to provide a comfortable and safe experience for everyone on board and, above all, to ensure that we reach our destination without any issues."
The two placed a red sticker on a battery image labeled 'Loading' set up behind the press conference area. This symbolized that Lee’s 'Bibimbap Theory'?which aims to recruit presidential candidates to the People Power Party to achieve regime change?had reached its final stage. Lee then pinned the party badge on Yoon and concluded the reception ceremony.
However, there remains some lingering resentment regarding Yoon’s decision to join the People Power Party without the presence of Lee and floor leader Kim Ki-hyun. Before the meeting, Lee appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae’s Focus' and expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "(Yoon’s entry) was very regrettable in terms of procedure." He explained, "There was prior understanding that the entry would take place on the 2nd, but the schedule was abruptly changed due to a leak of information," and added, "Even so, I think he should have consulted with us again."
In response, Yoon maintained that there was sufficient communication with the party leadership. After the meeting, he told reporters, "Continuously causing uncertainty among the public about whether I will join or not is not the right conduct," and stated, "I also told the leadership that the timing of my entry would not be late, and I joined after sufficient communication."
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