Lee Jun-seok: "Did I make Yoon Seok-yeol wait 15 minutes? That's not true"

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 5th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 5th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, refuted reports claiming that he made former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol wait for 15 minutes during the party admission welcome ceremony, stating that it was "not true."

In a post on his Facebook that day, Lee said, "There have been continuous reports as if I punished Yoon Seok-yeol by making him wait only 15 minutes, but that is not true."

Earlier, some media outlets reported that on the 2nd, former Prosecutor General Yoon waited for about 15 minutes to attend the welcome ceremony held for him.

This delay was reportedly due to the Supreme Council meeting, which was scheduled just before the welcome ceremony, ending later than planned because it was held together with former lawmaker Jang Sung-min's party admission ceremony. Some speculated that Lee was trying to enforce discipline in a strict manner.

Yoon Seok-yeol, former Prosecutor General and presidential candidate of the People Power Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, Lee explained, "The admission ceremony for former lawmaker Jang, which was scheduled that day, and former Prosecutor General Yoon's leadership meeting were both planned for 9 o'clock, but Yoon's side expressed discomfort about holding the events together with Jang, so the leadership accommodated the schedule by having Yoon participate after the Supreme Council meeting."

He added, "Also, since it is difficult to predict the length of the Supreme Council members' public speeches, the meeting's end time is naturally variable."

Furthermore, Lee said, "Rather, the Supreme Council was unable to hold its usual private meeting that day and instead conducted Yoon's leadership meeting. The side of former lawmaker Jang should be the most upset, and I am grateful for their understanding."

Finally, he emphasized, "From now on, regardless of which candidate it is, if a camp official tries to induce conflict between the leadership and the candidate, I will disclose the exact facts."