Ahn Cheol-soo says, "Live in 2016. Enjoy it for life"
On Pohang visit 'show of force' interpretation, "Kim Jeong-jae is not from Yeongju, Pohang"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] On the 29th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, responded to reports that “President Yoon Seok-yeol notified that he would request a meeting with reasons” by saying, “I think someone is deliberately conducting anonymous interviews to create discord between the Presidential Office and the party.”
After attending the 20th anniversary commemoration event of the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong held in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Lee told reporters, “It is a statement whose source has not even been confirmed, and I understand that the Presidential Office has issued a position contrary to that.” He added, “I think the public should generally ignore interviews that come out anonymously from now on.” He expressed discomfort over reports based on anonymous sources that contain inaccurate information.
Conflict with Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, continued that day as well. Regarding Ahn’s mention of Lee’s “a bowl of soy sauce” remark in the context of the 2016 general election defeat, Lee retorted, “It seems Ahn Cheol-soo is still living in 2016. Enjoy it for life.”
Regarding interpretations that Lee’s visit to Pohang was a show of force in response to pro-Yoon faction member Kim Jeong-jae’s remarks, Lee said, “I understand that Kim Jeong-jae has been making inappropriate remarks about me, but what does that have to do with my visit to Pohang?” He cautioned against overinterpretation, saying, “That doesn’t mean I can’t go to Pohang. Kim Jeong-jae is not the lord of Pohang.”
On the 27th, when the first meeting of the People Power Party Innovation Committee was held, Kim stated on SBS’s “Joo Young-jin’s News Briefing,” “We told the Supreme Council members to each recommend one person (for the Innovation Committee), and Lee Jun-seok himself nominated five people,” claiming, “You can consider it Lee Jun-seok’s Innovation Committee.”
Regarding the pardon of former President Lee Myung-bak, Lee emphasized that it is a matter of political judgment. He said, “The August pardon rumor seems to be a political move mainly by those closely connected to former President Lee Myung-bak to create a political atmosphere,” adding, “Since it is a political judgment, it appears that a highly sophisticated political decision is required.”
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