Lee Jun-seok: "People's Party Only Plans to Blame Others If Negotiations Fail Because They Don't Want to Take Responsibility"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, criticized on the 4th, saying, "The People’s Party does not seem to have much willingness to negotiate," and added, "Regarding Kim Yoon, chairman of the People’s Party Seoul branch, referring to himself as a 'cheolbuji aesongi' (immature youngster), when asked yes or no, they said no because they do not want to bear the stigma that would be thrown back on them. They are now thinking about where to shift the blame."

Lee Jun-seok appeared on CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show' that day and said, "To start the (presidential) primary bus, it has to be done by then, so we proposed this week as the negotiation deadline." He also said, "Representative Ahn Cheol-soo seemed to suggest on July 21 that the People Power Party lacks the will to merge. I was very displeased because they tried to shift the blame onto us."

Lee also said, "Is it impossible to communicate with the living Ahn Cheol-soo, who is perfectly fine outside? What kind of situation is this, really? It was so frustrating that I even said things like this," and added, "I am truly just hoping that Representative Ahn Cheol-soo will make a big decision."

Regarding the stalemate, Lee diagnosed, "They (the People’s Party) always say different things. Representative Kwon Eun-hee talks about negotiating the party name, and then Representative Lee Tae-gyu says the party name is not necessarily essential. They are dragging out time like this."

When asked by the host, "Is the negotiation deadline valid after this week?" he warned, "I consider it valid. After that, we will not make any proposals. In the silence, the People’s Party will have to overcome this situation."