Criticism Pours on Lee Jun-seok... Jeon Yeo-ok Calls Him a "Political Delinquent", Kim Hyung-o Labels Him a "Failed Icon of Youth"

Jeon Yeo-ok "The essence of party membership suspension is his own sexual scandal"
Kim Hyung-o "Lee Jun-seok is a failure... He should not use words that harm his own morality while attacking others"
Lee hints at possibility of party founding and political reorganization on CBS radio appearance

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 Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] Criticism from within the party continued against Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, who has been attacking so-called 'Yunhaekgwan (key associates of President Yoon Seok-yeol)'.

On the 15th, Jeon Yeo-ok, former Saenuri Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker, commented on Lee's press conference held on the 13th, saying, "It seems he does not know that he was suspended from party membership due to a messy sexual scandal."

Through Facebook that day, former lawmaker Jeon said, "Lee received special treatment as a political juvenile simply because he is young, pretending to be a disguised youth," adding, "He boasts as if he was suspended from party membership while fighting for independence. What would have happened if a politician older than former leader Lee was involved?" She further criticized, "Looking no further, I see former Chungnam Governor Ahn Hee-jung, whose political career ended disgracefully and whose family was shattered."

Regarding Lee's evaluation of President Yoon Seok-yeol's state administration score as 25 out of 100 on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' she said, "A political juvenile disaster in Yeouido, and he gives 25 points?" and warned, "The day to judge Lee's recklessness and arrogance will come soon."

Former National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-o also joined the criticism of Lee. On the same day, Kim posted on his website, which he manages, "Lee Jun-seok is an icon of youth in this era. However, he has failed."

He wrote, "Defining the existing conservative party as anti-communist ideology, exclusive nationalism, planned economy totalitarianism, or unilateralism is dichotomous and not correct in reality."

Earlier, on the 13th, Kim comforted Lee regarding his press conference, saying, "I try to understand Lee Jun-seok's position as much as possible," and "The treatment he received after running at full speed for victory in the last presidential and local elections was ostracism. And the result was 'removal from party leadership.' How angry and hurt he must have been."

However, he also pointed out that Lee failed to manage the party successfully. He criticized, "There has never been a leader with so many complaints about the party, and there will be few in the future," but added, "Then what is the icon of Lee Jun-seok's reform? This is also not an easy question to answer."

Moreover, regarding Lee's use of expressions such as 'yangduguyuk' and 'Samsunggano,' Kim advised, "These words must have come out from sleepless nights and suppressed anger, but they deal a fatal blow to the opponent's character while casting doubt on one's own moral level," and "I hope such words will no longer be used."

Meanwhile, Lee, after criticizing 'Yunhaekgwan' in a 62-minute press conference on the 13th, appeared on CBS Radio on the 15th to continue his offensive against Yunhaekgwan.

He also hinted at the possibility of founding a new party and political realignment, assuming the injunction suspending the effectiveness of the People Power Party's Emergency Committee is accepted.

Lee drew a line on the speculation about founding a party, saying, "It seems someone will try to found a party. I will not found one."

He added, "The last question I asked Yunhaekgwan and their supporters at the press conference was, 'What on earth do you believe in to act like this?' Even after doing this, they probably think something will happen before the general election, so political realignment might be attempted."