Lee Jun-seok Chooses 'All-Out War'... Criticizes Yoon and Prepares Legal Response

Lee Jun-seok Intensively Posts Criticism of President Yoon Seok-yeol on April 4-5
Supporters of Lee to Hold 'Reforming People Power Party' Debate on April 8

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Central Ethics Committee meeting held in the party's main conference room at the National Assembly on the evening of the 7th of last month. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, continues to strongly criticize President Yoon Seok-yeol. As the possibility of transitioning to an 'Emergency Response Committee' system grows, effectively pushing him toward dismissal, he has chosen to engage in an all-out confrontation. After the final decision on the formation of the Emergency Response Committee on the 9th, Lee is expected to file an injunction as his last card.

On the 4th, Lee pointed out on his Facebook, regarding President Yoon's statement on the 5th of last month, "Have you ever seen such an excellent minister appointed by the previous administration?" saying, "This statement should never have been made."

Lee also said, "What is more serious than this statement is that although it was caught on video, Kang In-seon, the presidential spokesperson, smiled broadly and followed the president immediately after the remark, rather than explaining or supplementing the statement to the media," adding, "The presidential office neither had the courage to point out that this statement was wrong nor the sense of responsibility to correct it in such a situation."

On the 5th, Lee further stated, "No matter how much they attack Lee Jun-seok or accuse him of internal criticism, it is futile because they are running this game amid numerous self-contradictions," and "It is pathetic to perceive the elected party leader speaking about internal party matters as internal criticism. The party leader's words are the correct opinion, and opposing views are usually acts of rebellion. The phrase that the party leader is engaging in internal criticism is itself a 'contradiction in terms.' It's similar to saying 'the boss disobeys the employee's instructions' or something like that." President Yoon's Telegram message to Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, included phrases such as "The party leader who used to do internal criticism has changed."

On the 26th of last month, during the plenary session's government questioning held at the National Assembly, Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, was texting with a person presumed to be President Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

On the 5th, Lee also said, "You may try to erase Lee Jun-seok. Whether it's the 59-second shorts, AI (Artificial Intelligence) Yoon Seok-yeol, erase them into history if you want. But let's not erase the promises made to the people," sharing an article about the official YouTube channel of President Yoon having videos like 'AI Yoon Seok-yeol' and shorts campaign videos set to private.

After the National Committee decision on the 9th, Lee is highly likely to take legal action. On the 5th, the Standing National Committee concluded that the party is in an 'emergency situation.' A party constitution amendment expanding the authority to appoint the Emergency Response Committee chairperson to the 'acting party leader' was also passed. If the party constitution amendment and the appointment of the Emergency Response Committee chairperson proceed at the National Committee on the 9th, the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee system will be launched, and Lee will undergo an 'automatic dismissal' process. Regarding this, Lee said, "Recently, when people talk about an honorable conclusion, I always talk about a conclusion without regrets," adding, "And I hope that such a conclusion without regrets will ultimately be honorable and serve as a healthy warning to the party and the nation," hinting at the possibility of legal action. It is known that he has also completed legal consultations.

The 'People Power Party Righting' (Gukbasae), a group of party members supporting Lee, is pushing for a class-action lawsuit and submission of petitions. On the 8th at 10 a.m., the day before the National Committee meeting, they will hold an 'emergency grand debate' in Yeouido. According to Shin In-gyu, former full-time deputy spokesperson and a member of the 'I am a National Representative' group initiated by Lee, as of the morning of the 7th, the total number of applicants for the Gukbasae meeting is 5,317, with 2,500 active participants in the open chat room. The number of class-action lawsuit applicants is 395.