Yoon: "I Have Many Opportunities to Talk with Lee Jun-seok... There May Be Differences in Opinion"

Yoon Seok-yeol "Lee Jun-seok's phone is all turned off, will talk when he returns to party duties rather than forcing contact"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party (left), is speaking at the Central Election Countermeasures Committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 29th. On the right is candidate Yoon Seok-yeol. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, showed a relaxed attitude regarding Lee Jun-seok, the party leader who canceled all his schedules and went into hiding on the 1st, saying, "There are many opportunities to talk."

After visiting the Independence Hall in Dongnam-gu, Cheonan City, Yoon told reporters, "Since he has turned off his phone, rather than contacting him forcefully, now that I hear he is in Busan, I think it would be best if he organizes his thoughts and returns to party affairs."

He continued, "After finishing today's schedule and returning to Seoul in the evening, whether (Lee) returns immediately to party affairs in Busan today or takes a day or two, we have to work together on the campaign committee and the Supreme Council," adding, "There are many opportunities to meet or talk before and after meeting times."

He said, "I think we need to meet and listen to the detailed reasons for (Lee's disappearance)," emphasizing, "Within a democratic party that pursues democracy, various differences of opinion and issues can always occur." He added, "Isn't finding a consensus and moving forward what a democratic party is about?" and questioned, "If there is a rigid command and control system, can that be called a democratic party?"

Regarding the controversy over the abolition of the 52-hour workweek system, he explained, "At a meeting with small and medium-sized business owners in the Chungbuk region, I listened frankly to their difficulties, and many said that the minimum wage system and the 52-hour workweek are significant obstacles to operating small businesses," adding, "They said the 52 hours should not be counted weekly but that the period should be extended."

He continued, "I heard that the minimum wage system is a reality-ignoring policy that makes it really difficult to hire people who want to work and provide them with a certain income," and said, "I summarized their various opinions in my closing remarks and said that if I am responsible for the next government, I will reflect the voices from the field well."

Regarding the reason for visiting the Independence Hall that day, he said, "The visit was to reflect on the origins again whenever we face various difficulties," adding, "I hope you see it in that sense."