Kim Je-dong to Lee Jun-seok's Face: "You Dislike Me, Right?"... "Isn't Being Criticized Our Destiny?"

Lee Jun-seok "A profession criticized even when doing well... The fate of broadcasters and politicians living with the love of the people"

Broadcaster Kim Je-dong meeting with Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, on YTN Radio's 'Starting a New Morning.' Photo by YTN 'Starting a New Morning' capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Broadcaster Kim Jedong, who stepped in as a substitute host for YTN Radio's 'Starting Fresh Morning,' met with Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, on the 26th.

On that day, Kim Jedong brought up the ongoing turmoil surrounding the recent inclusion of former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in in the campaign committee of People Power Party's presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol. He then asked, "Is the problem structural or about the people? Is it about whether Chairman Kim Byung-joon is coming?"

In response, Lee said, "You cannot separate people and structure." He gave an analogy: "For example, it is very natural for Kim Jedong to host current affairs broadcasts and entertainment programs here. But if Kim Jedong were to go outside and release an album and become a singer, people might think, 'Why is he doing that?'"

He added, "Opposing Kim Jedong becoming a singer does not mean disliking him. It's just a hope that he would do something different."

Then Kim Jedong asked again, "Among young party members, there have been comments that the campaign committee is 'not fresh,' 'old boys,' and 'conservative veterans.' What do you think about that, Leader Lee?"

Lee replied, "That's a perspective worth considering," but added, "To use Kim Jedong as an analogy again, some people think he does well as a host, and others think he does not. It also depends on political leanings."

He then asked, "Kim Jedong, you are used to this kind of evaluation, right?" to which Kim Jedong laughed and responded, "You dislike me, don't you?"

Lee said, "I think you do well, but there are always people who leave negative comments. But isn't that the fate of broadcasters and politicians who live by the love of the people?" Kim Jedong replied, "I get comforted like this again. Thank you."

Lee also emphasized, "The criticisms come from spokespersons selected through our party's debate battle last July. They are people who joined newly after seeing the party's renewal. They are party officials who represent votes from the younger generation who have not supported People Power until now but might support in this election, possibly representing moderate expansion."

He continued, "If there is a slight deficiency from this perspective, it is something we should humbly accept."

He added, "Criticism is originally something you risk your life to make from within. The party leader (myself) is lenient, so I don't say anything. If the party leader were harsher, they would have already been called in and scolded. They are doing well. I was exactly like this 10 years ago. Speaking up when necessary is a virtue of politicians."

At the end of the interview with Leader Lee, Kim Jedong asked, "I heard that on some program, when told 'Let's meet again next time,' you said, 'No, I won't come out again.' How about our program?"

Lee responded, "Is Kim Jedong going to host this again?" Kim Jedong laughed and said, "No. So I can say this: No, I won't watch it."

He added, "Actually, it's true that I want to watch but can't," and Lee reacted with "That's a pity."