Yoon Seok-yeol Speaks on 'Lee Jun-seok's Seclusion': "I Don't Really Know... Just Doing My Role"

Yoon Seok-yeol Remains Tight-Lipped on Lee Jun-seok's Seclusion on the 30th, Saying "I Am Just Fulfilling My Role as a Candidate"
Some Interpret This as a Sign of Discontent Over 'Party Leader Passing'

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, stated that he "does not know well" the reason for Lee Jun-seok, the party leader's disappearance.

On the 30th of last month, after visiting a secondary battery small and medium-sized enterprise in Cheongju, Chungbuk, Yoon was asked by reporters, "What do you think is the cause of Lee Jun-seok's seclusion incident?" He replied, "I do not know well either. As a candidate, I am just doing my role."

Regarding Lee canceling official schedules, he said, "The public schedule started from 11 a.m., but the day was busy from the morning," adding, "Anyway, I spoke with Secretary-General Kwon Seong-dong. I told the Secretary-General to find out the reason and try to meet him."

When asked, "If Lee resigns from the party leader position, would there be a problem with the campaign committee?" he showed displeasure, saying, "Please do not ask hypothetical questions."

Regarding Rep. Hong Joon-pyo defending Lee by saying, "If the party leader is sidelined, the party will be ruined," Yoon refused to comment, stating, "My basic stance is not to comment on politicians' expressed opinions."

Meanwhile, Lee, who attended a drinking gathering with five first-term lawmakers on the 29th of last month, posted on his Facebook, "Then this is the end," and the next day, the 30th, canceled all official schedules and went into seclusion.

Some speculate that Lee expressed dissatisfaction over recent conflicts with Yoon's side regarding the campaign committee formation and notification of visit schedules. On the 29th of last month, Yoon recruited Professor Lee Soo-jung of Kyonggi University, a criminal psychologist, as a co-chair of the campaign committee. Since Lee Jun-seok had publicly opposed this recruitment, a controversy over "party leader bypassing" arose.

It also became controversial that Lee was not informed in advance that he would accompany Yoon's visit to Chungcheong. On the same day, Lee posted on his Facebook, expressing discomfort, saying, "At least for schedules announced as 'Lee Jun-seok is going,' please ask Lee Jun-seok and decide. Prior discussion is important."