Lee Tae-gyu: "People Party is not a party without money or organization, but not without pride... Trying to suppress Lee Jun-seok with power"

On the afternoon of June 16, Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party (right), visited Ahn Cheol-soo, the leader of the People Party, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, and is speaking. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim So-young] Lee Tae-gyu, Secretary General of the People’s Party, criticized the attitude of Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, who is continuing merger discussions, as coercive, stating, "I hope Leader Lee Jun-seok refrains from making remarks that hurt the pride of our party members and supporters."

In an interview on June 3 with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Secretary General Lee warned, "Considering the current party strength, our party may lack money and organization, but it is not a party without any dignity."

He expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "Everyone can see that the People Power Party is stronger than the People’s Party, so they should show a more humble and open attitude. However, (Leader Lee Jun-seok) seems to be trying to suppress us by force."

He added sharply, "Linking his own vacation to such an important political issue as party integration is hard to see as a sincere gesture. These criticisms are coming up a lot within the party."

Earlier, on May 31, Leader Lee stated on Facebook, "After next week, I will go on vacation," and added, "Even if I meet Leader Ahn after my vacation, there will not be enough time for a proper merger before the (primary) bus departs."

Secretary General Lee conveyed, "Our party supporters are saying, 'Why are we being dragged into this? Why should we submit humiliatingly?' Leader Ahn is currently in a situation where he wants to act but cannot."

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is holding a one-person relay protest in front of the Blue House fountain on the morning of the 2nd, urging investigation into the mastermind behind Druking and a truthful confession from the president.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "The attitude the People Power Party is showing now makes me suspect they want to be the only opposition party," and questioned, "Is this really the right attitude for a merger?"

On the same day, Kwon Eun-hee, floor leader of the People’s Party, also criticized on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae’s Focus,' saying, "Leader Lee linked his vacation next week with the negotiation deadline this week, demanding the schedule be tied to his vacation. The People’s Party does not feel the need to go along with such childish behavior."

She directly stated, "Leader Lee is demanding that we unconditionally board the People Power Party’s presidential primary bus and cooperate so that the bus can depart without problems. We cannot see any connection between the reason the People’s Party wants to merge?better regime change?and the bus departure."

Earlier, on June 2, Leader Lee pressured again at the Supreme Council meeting, saying, "This week is a turning point and the deadline for the merger issue," and "The integration of the two parties is a top priority given by the people who want regime change. If we go against this, we will become sinners of history."

Leader Ahn held a one-person protest related to the 'Druking incident' in front of the Blue House that morning, stating, "The combined support rate of the ruling party’s presidential candidates is higher than that of the opposition," and "The opposition is in crisis, and if this continues, regime change will be impossible." He argued, "What is needed to overcome this crisis is a plus integration that can broaden the base of supporters of the first and second opposition parties."

In response, Leader Lee wrote on his Facebook, "If we change the party name, it’s a plus integration; if not, it’s a minus integration?" and "If the substance of the plus integration is clear, I will listen during the integration process." He emphasized, "Instead of such vague talk, I sincerely hope we can meet seriously and have substantive discussions about the merger."