Yoon Indifferent Despite Party Leader's Strike

On the 1st, the figures of Representative Lee Jun-seok and presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol were seen in front of the People Power Party's representative office at the National Assembly. Amid the controversy over 'passing over,' Representative Lee has refused all party duties since November 30 and left for Busan. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Juni Park] Amid the unprecedented ‘party leader strike’ entering its second day, Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, said on the 1st, "I will not forcefully contact (Lee Jun-seok)." He added, "If he returns to party affairs, we can discuss anything," leaving room for dialogue. Lee, who has been missing since the previous day, is staying in Busan and attending to local issues, making the possibility of an extreme decision such as resignation seem low. However, since Candidate Yoon has not provided justification for Lee’s return and has shown a somewhat ‘lukewarm’ response, the unexpected conflict between the party leader and the presidential candidate is likely to continue for some time.

While touring the Chungnam region, Candidate Yoon told reporters after visiting the Independence Hall on the 1st, "Differences of opinion and such issues can always occur, and finding a consensus and moving forward is what a democratic party should do." He added, "Rather than forcing contact, since he is said to be in Busan, I hope he can organize his thoughts and return to party affairs, then we will talk." When asked if he had figured out the reason for Lee’s disappearance, he replied, "Well, I need to meet and hear the details." Asked if he planned to go to Busan to meet him directly, he said, "I don’t know if he will return to party affairs immediately or if it will take a day or two, but since we have to hold meetings for both the campaign committee and the supreme council, we can discuss it anytime before or after those meetings."

Meanwhile, Lee reportedly arrived in Busan the previous afternoon and is attending to local pledges. This appears to be part of preparing local pledges, leading to the view that the possibility of Lee stepping down as party leader is low. Lee also met with former National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa the previous night to discuss current issues. Former Speaker Chung said, "I advised him to be mindful not to appear as internal strife and to unite around the candidate," adding, "He seemed likely to return to Seoul today (the 1st)."

Candidate Yoon Seok-yeol
Lukewarm attitude despite Lee Jun-seok’s seclusion
No active response such as direct contact
"Will discuss anything if he returns to party affairs"

Party Leader Lee Jun-seok
Went down to Busan to check local pledges
Low possibility of stepping down as party leader
Campaign Committee: "Will attempt dialogue with Lee"

The scheduled launch date of the campaign committee is the 6th. If Lee does not confirm his return by then, Candidate Yoon will inevitably suffer damage. Especially in recruiting men in their 20s and 30s and in publicity, Lee’s absence is significant, but Candidate Yoon is also unlikely to reverse the campaign committee appointments that caused the conflict. Kim Byung-joon, the standing campaign committee chairman, appeared on the radio that day and regarding rumors of his resignation to facilitate Lee’s return, stated, "Since the candidate has announced the personnel plan, whether we like it or not, we must respect it; otherwise, the candidate’s authority will be undermined," making it clear that resignation is unlikely.

Within the campaign committee, efforts to contact Lee continue. Kwon Seong-dong, head of the campaign committee’s comprehensive support headquarters, said on the radio that day, "We need to have a conversation to understand the specific reasons why he took the drastic step of refusing party affairs." Co-chair of the campaign committee Lee Soo-jung also said, "If Lee returns, we can have various conversations to sufficiently reduce the gap."