Press Conference by Former Minister Lee 36 Days After Disciplinary Action... Tearful Criticism of President and Party by Name (Comprehensive)

Kwon Seong-dong, Lee Cheol-gyu, Jang Je-won, Jeong Jin-seok, Kim Jeong-jae, Park Soo-young Named Explicitly

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, held a press conference on the 13th at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and while expressing his position directly regarding the provisional injunction application related to the party's transition to an emergency response committee system, he was seen with reddened eyes. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, who held a press conference 36 days after being disciplined for a sexual misconduct case, criticized the party on the 13th, saying that the transition to a provisional leadership committee mirrored the Democratic Party of Korea's 'complete prosecution reform' ('Geomsu Wanbak'). He also strongly condemned President Yoon Seok-yeol's text message scandal as a "crisis of presidential leadership," even mentioning the real names of 'Yoon core figures.'

At the National Assembly Press Hall that day, Lee said, "The process of tearing apart the party constitution and regulations through moral lectures over several months just to drive out one person was completely unfair and has set a very bad precedent in political history."

This was a direct criticism of the party's transition to a provisional leadership committee, also implying his intention to fight against the committee in the future. Lee pointed out, "The party constitution and regulations, which were torn apart for this transition, and the process itself resemble the Democratic Party's reckless moves to achieve complete prosecution reform."

Regarding calls within the party to "put the party before personal interests" in response to the injunction request against the provisional leadership committee's launch, he dismissed it, saying, "This gloomy phrase, as if it were a four-character idiom, is treated as a golden rule in politics, but in fact, it is a fundamentally baseless term."

He also criticized President Yoon by referring to public opinion polls and approval ratings. He said, "The evaluation of a political party is already understood through regularly conducted public opinion polls. The public sentiment is drifting away," adding, "If any message the president sends to the floor leader receives public finger-pointing, it is not a crisis of the party but a crisis of the president's leadership."

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, held a press conference on the 13th at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, where he directly expressed his position regarding the provisional injunction application related to the party's transition to an emergency response committee system. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

This referred to the major controversy sparked by the disclosure of a text message from President Yoon to floor leader Kwon Seong-dong, saying, "The party leader who used to do internal backbiting has changed since the leadership changed."

Lee then criticized, "If the conclusion of the text message exposure scandal is to proceed with a coordinated procedure to oust the party leader, it is neither fair nor just," while expressing regret, saying, "It was a human tragedy that no one offered any explanation or apology to me, who was the subject of repeated gossip."

Regarding the recent turning away of young people from President Yoon, Lee said, "The sharp decline in expectations from the ruling party and government among the younger generation is not because the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family was not abolished, but because the ability to discover and publicize agendas has been lost," advising, "Yoon core figures and their advocates should step out of their small estates and challenge something more progressive."

He even mentioned the real names of some individuals. Lee said, "Kwon Seong-dong, Lee Cheol-gyu, Jang Je-won, the Yoon core figures, and the advocates such as Jeong Jin-seok, Kim Jeong-jae, and Park Soo-young should all declare candidacy in Seoul's Gangbuk district or other weak metropolitan areas to contribute to the Yoon administration's general election victory," adding, "If you cannot muster that courage, you will never surpass Jeong Se-gyun, who faced Oh Se-hoon, or Lee Nak-yeon, who faced Hwang Kyo-ahn."

Lee said, "Since it is highly unlikely that the Yoon core figures will make such a choice, I will fight them to the end," and previewed, "Starting next week, I will open spaces where more party members can be active," emphasizing that he is also about to complete a book on the party's innovation direction.

Lee showed tears as emotions welled up while delivering his statement. He said, "The people who supported our People Power Party three times in a row in major elections have turned their backs on conservatism again," and "I want to apologize to the people and party members."

He continued, "Seeing party members who contributed to victory on the front lines now expressing anger rather than pride makes me feel a lot of self-reproach," adding, "I will do everything I can to resolve the situation."

He also mentioned the need for change within the conservative camp. Lee said, "There are party members and supporters who value classical national-centered values, but there are also party members and supporters who prioritize freedom, justice, and human rights just as much," and "We must burn down the People Power Party that is loyal to the organization, beyond the People Power Party that is loyal to individuals."