[Lee Jun-seok Disciplinary Action] Hong Joon-pyo's Advice to Lee Jun-seok: "Focus Only on Clearing Your Name"

“You can upgrade to a new Lee Jun-seok”
“No senior lawmaker seen mediating party infighting”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Hong Joon-pyo, mayor of Daegu, on the 8th urged Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party who received a severe disciplinary action of "6-month suspension of party membership," to "focus solely on clearing his name through judicial procedures during the 6-month suspension period."

On the same day, Mayor Hong said on Facebook, "Take this time as a rest period for your tired mind and body, do not resign from the leadership position, and observe the acting leadership system for 6 months while recharging." He mentioned the phrase "No one can be a judge in their own case," adding, "It is neither the leader's authority nor appropriate for the leader to suspend his own disciplinary issue. Although an injunction could be sought, that may not be feasible either."

He also referred to his own case in March 2017, when he was involved in the Sung Wan-jong list incident and received a suspension of party membership, saying, "After the acquittal in the appellate trial, the party made a bizarre decision called 'suspension of the suspension of party membership,' which restored my party membership, allowing me to become a presidential candidate and party leader." He added, "Once the false charges are cleared, Lee Jun-seok will be upgraded and return as a completely new person."

He emphasized, "Now is the time to think of the country first. It is not the time for internal party fights." Earlier, in another Facebook post, he also criticized the party infighting, saying, "It is truly regrettable that not a single senior lawmaker stepped forward to mediate this internal party conflict."