Cheon Ha-ram: "Lee Jun-seok Incident, Problem Resolution Depends on President Yoon's Attitude"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Cheon Ha-ram, one of the Innovation Committee members of the People Power Party, predicted that the 'Lee Jun-seok incident' could find a resolution depending on President Yoon Seok-yeol's attitude.

On the 18th, Cheon appeared on 'YTN Radio News King with Park Ji-hoon' and said, "Since it is the early stage of the president's term, no matter how much the party and government are separated, the attitude the president takes seems to be directly related to solving the problem."

He added, "The mainstream position of our party is ultimately decided by the so-called 'Yunhaekgwan (Yoon Seok-yeol core associates),' and there are even discussions within the party about whether Joo Ho-young, the emergency committee chairman, actually holds real power," adding, "So the president stepping in is the biggest and most meaningful factor."

Cheon also expressed concerns about the inclusion of people with ties to President Yoon in the emergency committee. He pointed out, "It is desirable that many people related to Honam, such as former Gwangju mayoral candidate Joo Ki-hwan, former lawmaker Jung Yang-seok, and lawmaker Jeon Ju-hye, have joined the emergency committee," but added, "In the case of former candidate Joo, his son is currently working in the presidential office, and he has a connection of having worked with President Yoon."

He continued, "There has been controversy recently about the hiring of people with personal connections, and whether we agree or not, in such a controversial situation, was it necessary to appoint former candidate Joo?" He added, "Honestly, from the perspective of the new emergency committee's momentum, it is worrisome."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the appointment of lawmaker Lee Cheol-gyu, known as a 'Yunhaekgwan,' as the budget committee secretary, he criticized, "Having people known as Yunhaekgwan hold too many key positions in our party ultimately sows seeds of internal conflict," adding, "If party members focus not on diligently managing their regions and crafting policies but on getting closer to the party's core forces, it could weaken the ruling party's policy capabilities."

On lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, considered a next party leader contender, calling for the dissolution of the Innovation Committee established by former leader Lee Jun-seok, Cheon said, "It feels like an attempt to erase Lee Jun-seok's traces," adding, "Although there was talk of an 'innovation-type emergency committee,' realistically, the emergency committee cannot fully focus on innovation."

He continued, "Since Emergency Committee Chairman Joo Ho-young has expressed expectations for the Innovation Committee's activities, making such remarks seems to be a strategic claim to draw support from the relatively lacking traditional People Power Party base," he analyzed.