Jin Joong-kwon to Lee Jun-seok: "Yoon's Call Leak Was Staff's Mistake? Are the People Fools?"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, and Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized the response of Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, regarding the leak of a recorded conversation.

On the 14th, Jin shared an article on his Facebook about the leaked call between Lee and former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, a presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, along with Lee’s explanation. He added, "There are rumors that Lee secretly recorded the call with Yoon and circulated it to reporters."

Jin said, "What on earth are they thinking?" and added, "This is a matter of basic human trust." He also criticized Lee’s side’s explanation, saying, "I have no idea what their intention is," and "Their explanation treats the public like fools."

[Photo by Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University, Facebook capture]

Additionally, former lawmaker Jeon Yeo-ok also criticized Lee’s side, saying, "They treated the people desperate for regime change like fools." Jeon said, "How can a party staff member accidentally record a call between the party leader and the presidential candidate, accidentally leak it, and accidentally distribute it to reporters? This is not a matter of making the party staff an unfair scapegoat."

Earlier, Lee’s side was embroiled in suspicion that they deliberately leaked parts of the call with Yoon. On the 12th, Lee strongly reacted to Shin Ji-ho, the political secretary of Yoon’s campaign, who said on a broadcast, "Even the president can be impeached," by saying, "He revealed his true colors. If you want to try, go ahead." On the same day, Yoon reportedly called Lee directly to inform him that he had sternly warned Shin Ji-ho.

After reports emerged that Yoon expressed regret to Lee, Lee denied ever hearing such words and explained that Yoon did not mention an apology or consideration of attending a debate. Subsequently, a document containing the recorded call between Lee and Yoon was leaked outside the party. Yoon’s side expressed displeasure, saying, "How could anyone feel good about this?"

Meanwhile, Lee’s side explained the leak by saying, "The recording was made automatically by a function on the mobile phone." They claimed that the staff accidentally transcribed the recording and it leaked outside.