Jang Je-won Resigns from Yoon Camp over Son's 'Unlicensed Driving' Issue... Yoon Seok-yeol Rejects

Jang Je-won, a member of the National Assembly serving as the situation room chief at Yoon Seok-yeol's People Power Party presidential primary campaign.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Jang Je-won, a member of the People Power Party and head of the comprehensive situation room at Yoon Seok-yeol’s presidential campaign, recently expressed his intention to resign several times due to issues involving his son Noel (21, real name Jang Yong-jun), but it is reported that candidate Yoon rejected these resignations.

According to Yonhap News on the 23rd, Jang stated multiple times to the campaign that he would take responsibility and step down from his position as head of the situation room following the controversy caused by his son Noel’s unlicensed driving, refusal to undergo a breathalyzer test, and assault on a police officer. However, candidate Yoon reportedly conveyed to Jang that there was no need to relinquish his campaign position over the personal misconduct of his adult son.

Earlier, on the night of the 18th around 10:30 PM, Noel caused a minor collision while driving a Mercedes-Benz in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. When the police arrived at the scene and requested a breathalyzer test and identification, he refused and struck a police officer’s head, leading to his arrest on the spot.

The following day, on the 19th, Noel posted on his Instagram, "I have nothing to say. I will accept all the punishment I deserve and strive to become a more mature member of society," expressing his apology.

Meanwhile, Noel was previously indicted in September 2019 on charges including drunk driving and driver substitution. In June of last year, he was sentenced in the first trial to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 2-year probation period and ordered to complete 40 hours of safe driving lectures.