Criticism from Senior Ruling Party Members at Lee Jun-seok's Press Conference... Freshmen Lawmakers 'Support'

Hong Jun-pyo "Must Reflect on Why Criticized" Na Kyung-won "Went Too Far"

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 Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 13th, former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok held a press conference in which he named the key figures of Yoon Seok-yeol's inner circle (Yoon 핵관) one by one and revealed that President Yoon Seok-yeol called him 'Lee XX, that XX,' making a major expos?. Meanwhile, senior party members criticized the press conference for going too far.

Na Kyung-won, a former People Power Party lawmaker considered one of the next party leadership candidates, wrote on Facebook on the 14th, "Yesterday's press conference went way too far," adding, "As a young party leader, many party members including myself have endured and even respected him."

She questioned, "If his closest aide wrote a 700 million won investment promissory note regarding his sexual misconduct case, wouldn't everyone who needs to know the truth already know it?" and criticized, "Before determining criminal guilt or innocence, it is proper and honorable to reflect on oneself and step back for a while."

She continued, "Please stop trying to overcome your political and judicial crisis by playing the victim and do not cause discord within the ruling party," casting doubt on the sincerity of this press conference.

Na also said, "I criticize the party's series of processes for being unpolished," but added, "However, I urge Leader Lee not to further weaken the national momentum and obstruct the normalization of the Republic of Korea."

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo also responded on his online platform 'Youth's Dream' to a question about 'Former Leader Lee being insulted by the president while serving as leader,' saying, "I hope he thinks about why he was insulted like that."

He said, "I understand the frustration and the feeling of being wronged. I admire the young courage to speak out without holding back," but added, "I hope he becomes more mature and deepens his inner strength." He also said, "When I stepped down as party leader due to the DDoS incident, which had nothing to do with me, I never once said I was wronged," adding, "Regardless of the outcome, with time, this may just be a momentary venting of emotions."

Former Saenuri Party lawmaker Jeon Yeo-ok also criticized, calling Lee Jun-seok's press conference a "self-harm show," targeting Lee who shed tears during the conference, saying, "A 'juice-squeezing' (slang for crying) that never disappoints expectations. Even Park Ji-hyun (former co-chair of the Democratic Party's Emergency Committee) was steadfast, but this was a completely pathetic and humiliating tantrum."

On the other hand, some first-term lawmakers sent messages of support. People Power Party lawmaker Kim Woong wrote on Facebook, "Nevertheless, we will move forward," along with a one-line review of the press conference, "Our proud and touching People Power Party leader."

Lawmaker Kim Byung-wook also said, "Today, Leader Lee Jun-seok precisely bombarded the established political circles of Yeouido that parasitize authoritarian power structures," adding, "His desperate call to transform Yeouido politics into one loyal to values such as freedom, democracy, and human rights rather than people or organizations will resonate deeply with the public."