Conflict with elevated voices between Jo Su-jin over responses to negative reports
Expresses concerns about recruiting Shin Ji-ye
Lee Jun-seok, Standing Election Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Central Election Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th and delivering a speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] The leadership of the People Power Party sharply clashed on the 20th over internal roles within the election campaign committee, talent recruitment measures, and approaches to negative campaigning. During this process, party leader Lee Jun-seok had a loud argument with Jo Su-jin, head of the campaign’s public relations team, creating a tense scene.
After the Central Election Campaign Committee meeting that day, Lee told reporters, "There were people opposing instructions regarding the campaign committee’s work, so I spoke to improve and correct the campaign’s operational system," adding, "I gave instructions on the tasks assigned to them, but they publicly stated that they did not need to listen to the standing campaign committee chairman, which led to raised voices."
Recently, the People Power Party has been struggling with a series of negative reports from the ruling party. Responsibility for this has been focused on Lee, who is both the party leader and in charge of campaign publicity. However, Lee’s side believes that media responses should fundamentally be handled by the public relations team. On the 19th, Lee posted on his Facebook, stating, "Negative campaigning in elections is handled by the negative response organization, and media responses are handled by the public relations team," adding, "Those two organizations are not under my supervision as the head of publicity and media." This public statement reflected his discomfort. On the same day, Lee reportedly raised his voice again at the public relations team when Jo did not express willingness to accept his caution.
Lee was also reportedly strongly dissatisfied with the New Era Preparation Committee, a direct organization under the presidential candidate, announcing the recruitment of Shin Ji-ye, head of the Korean Women’s Political Network. When reporters asked Lee for his opinion on Shin’s recruitment, he replied, "If there are statements that violate the basic party policy, we will have no choice but to restrain and correct them." He further stated, "If (Shin) participates in our party and contributes to the candidate’s election, I will not doubt that goodwill, but I hope she performs her role within the bounds that do not greatly conflict with party policy." Lee appears concerned that while Shin’s strong feminist stance may help secure support from women in their 20s and 30s, it could conversely lead to mass defections among young male voters.
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