"'Mulryeongmangdong Jeongjungyeosan'... Kim, Absolutely Needed by the Party"
Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, is being interviewed in front of the policy promotion bus parked in front of the Jeonbuk Provincial Council on the 25th. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, expressed his hope that everyone would take the by-election in Daegu Jung-Nam District seriously, saying, "I hope everyone approaches this with the understanding that it could influence the presidential election," in response to Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member, announcing his intention to run as an independent candidate despite the party's decision not to nominate anyone.
On the 28th, after attending a book concert at a house cafe in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee responded to a reporter's question about Kim Jae-won's intention to run as an independent in Daegu Jung-Nam District by saying, "I absolutely respect the decision of the nomination management committee."
He added, "There was political communication regarding the no-nomination decision between Nomination Committee Chair Kwon Young-se and myself, as well as the candidate's side."
Lee said, "Kim Jae-won, as a Supreme Council member who has worked closely with me for over half a year, was caught off guard by the sudden change in the party's nomination policy. As party leader, I feel somewhat sorry and apologetic toward him," but emphasized, "However, with the presidential election approaching, I hope everyone takes every party movement seriously, understanding that it could impact the election."
Also, on the same day in the afternoon, Lee posted on his Facebook with the Chinese idiom "勿令妄動 靜重如山 (Mulryeong Mangdong Jeongjung Yosan)" and wrote, "Supreme Council member Kim is a person essential to the party." The idiom means "Do not act rashly; act with the weight of a mountain," and is said to have been told by Admiral Yi Sun-sin to his troops before the first battle of the Imjin War.
Earlier that day (28th), Chair Kwon announced that the Daegu Jung-Nam District would not have a party nomination because it was the constituency of former lawmaker Kwak Sang-do, who was expelled from the National Assembly over the 'Daejang-dong Gate 5 billion won club' scandal. This was a gesture of atonement, giving up a stronghold district.
In response, Supreme Council member Kim stated, "I will unconditionally obey the party's order to run as an independent and return by winning without the party's help," expressing his intention to run in the Daegu Jung-Nam District by-election after leaving the party.
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