'Worried About Gossip,' Yoo Seung-min Couldn’t Even Contact, Warmly Embraced Lee Jun-seok on 100th Day of Inauguration

Celebrating Yoo Seung-min's 100 Days: "I Believe He Will Complete His 2-Year Term"
Yoo Seung-min Jokes, "I Was Disappointed Lee Jun-seok Stopped Talking About Making Yoo Seung-min President"
Lee Jun-seok Says, "Congrats to Yoo Seung-min on Changing His Hairstyle and Embracing Change"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, met with Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, on the 17th. The two, who had refrained from contact amid controversies involving Yoo Seung-min’s faction during the party convention, expressed their support for each other's future as a presidential candidate and party leader.

Yoo Seung-min, a presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is sharing a hug with Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, before their meeting at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

At the party leader’s office in the National Assembly, Lee and Yoo created a warm atmosphere. Lee said, "I remember rejecting many communications and requests from Yoo Seung-min and his camp due to the serious atmosphere regarding the fairness of the party leader’s primary," adding, "I welcome the opportunity to talk after a long time."

Yoo, meeting Lee who will mark his 100th day in office on the 18th, said, "You have worked hard for these 100 days," and expressed confidence, "I am sure you will win the presidential election and complete your two-year term." He mentioned, "The reason for celebrating the 100-day mark is that if one stays healthy for 100 days, it is believed they will live long thereafter."

Yoo Seung-min, a presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is exchanging greetings with Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, before their meeting at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Yoo said, "Before Lee’s inauguration as party leader, I was very cautious due to our close ties. I tried to avoid misunderstandings as much as possible, but I think Lee was also very cautious," jokingly adding, "Before his inauguration, he often said he would make Yoo Seung-min president, which caused many misunderstandings and attacks, but after becoming leader, he hasn’t said that, which is somewhat disappointing." He also stated, "Even if Lee doesn’t help, I will do well." Yoo continued, "I wanted to praise, support, and offer kind words all this time, but I refrained because there were many who would make a fuss over even a single word. I want to say now that I hope this will be an opportunity for you to grow into an excellent politician for the party and the country."

Lee said, "Looking at Yoo’s nearly 20 years of political career, I see that he has let go of his seriousness, changed his hairstyle, and a few days ago, I saw him broadcasting with a cheetah doll, which made me think the change has begun." He added, "I don’t know how many years you have waited for this change, but congratulations on it."

Yoo recently gifted Lee the 'Yuchita' doll, a nickname given by his supporters combining Yoo’s name and cheetah.

Yoo Seung-min, a presidential primary candidate of the People Power Party, is meeting with party leader Lee Jun-seok at the National Assembly on the 17th and presenting a doll called 'Yuchita,' a nickname given by supporters. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Lee has followed a similar political path as Yoo in the past. However, at the party convention in June this year, concerns were raised that Lee’s closeness to Yoo could pose problems for a fair primary. For this reason, Lee took a cautious approach by excluding people close to Yoo from party positions.