Candidate Verification Team 'Oksangok' Controversy, Lee Jun-seok Says "Trying to Make It an Independent Organization"

People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok is speaking at a merchants' meeting held at the Masan Fish Market Merchants' Association in Dongsong-dong, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, on the afternoon of the 3rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] As criticisms arose that the 'Candidate Verification Team' being formed by the People Power Party ahead of the presidential primary is an "ok-sang-ok (屋上屋)"?a redundant organization?Representative Lee Jun-seok denied this, saying, "It means it will be an independent body, not that I will control it."

On the 3rd, after visiting Masan Fish Market in Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, Lee told reporters, "The intention to place it under the office of the party leader is because the Primary Preparation Committee will soon conclude its activities and transition to the Election Management Committee system, so it is not appropriate to keep moving the organization around," explaining his stance.

Recently, Lee has faced criticism for 'bypassing' the Primary Preparation Committee in relation to the presidential primary preparations. On the 29th, after the Supreme Council meeting, Lee told reporters, "I will issue instructions to review the introduction of a rule to prevent reverse voting." However, at that time, the Primary Preparation Committee had already reached a consensus not to introduce such a rule.

Related personnel are being considered among former lawmakers with legal backgrounds, and several candidates including former lawmaker Kim Jin-tae are under review. Regarding the specific format, Lee said, "We will discuss it with the Supreme Council."