Lee Jun-seok Completes Ethics Committee Explanation... "Expecting End to Party Confusion"

Spent about 3 hours in the explanation process
"Accurately explained from my perspective"
Ethics Committee Chair: "Deliberation will be conducted thoroughly"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, who is under disciplinary review by the party's Ethics Committee over allegations of 'sexual bribery and evidence destruction inducement,' completed his defense on the 8th and stated, "I hope this process will bring an end to much of the party's confusion."

At around 12:13 a.m. that day, Lee left the Ethics Committee meeting room set up at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, and told reporters, "As you can see from the Ethics Committee's defense procedure, I sincerely engaged for a long time. I believe I accurately explained the questions raised by the Ethics Committee from my perspective."

Lee appeared before the Ethics Committee at 9:23 p.m. the previous day and continued his defense for about three hours. Before entering, he told reporters, "Despite waiting for the opportunity to defend myself for the past few months, my heart feels so heavy and empty," adding, "I am not sure if I will be able to fully present the defense I prepared or if I will be emotionally overwhelmed once there." During this process, his eyes reddened, and he choked up, briefly unable to continue speaking.

The Ethics Committee concluded the defense procedures of Kim Cheol-geun, the party leader's political secretary, and Lee, and began deliberations to decide on disciplinary measures. Ethics Committee Chairperson Lee Yang-hee told reporters, "We will conduct in-depth discussions on how to make a resolution." When asked by the press, "Will a conclusion be reached today?" she briefly replied, "I don't know," before entering the meeting room.