Jang Ye-chan: "Lee Jun-seok, the Cause of Losing National Momentum... Party Leader Position Is Not for Personal Politics"

"IJoonseok Caused Trouble Twice by Joining the Presidential Campaign Headquarters"
"Don't Be Hypocritical Before the Noble Word 'Serve the Party Before Oneself'" Direct Hit

Jang Ye-chan, Chairman of the Youth Foundation, issuing a statement criticizing former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok. / Photo by Yonhap News

Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the 13th, and is answering questions from reporters regarding the provisional injunction application related to the party's transition to an emergency response committee system. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Jang Ye-chan, chairman of the Youth Foundation, urged former People Power Party (PPP) leader Lee Jun-seok, who is opposing the party’s transition to an emergency response committee, to "clear the way so that the Yoon Seok-yeol government can focus on people’s livelihoods" and called on him to “put the party before personal interests (Seondanghusa).”

At a press conference held at the National Assembly communication office on the 18th, Chairman Jang said, "Former leader Lee criticized Seondanghusa as a baseless phrase, but he himself was the one who demanded Seondanghusa from PPP lawmakers," adding, "Do not practice double standards in front of the noble word Seondanghusa." Jang served as the head of the youth division in Yoon Seok-yeol’s presidential campaign and as the head of the youth communication task force (TF) in the Presidential Transition Committee during the last presidential election. Chairman Jang’s criticism of former leader Lee aligns with the ruling party’s core view that internal discipline must be restored to regain approval ratings following the launch of the emergency response committee.

He stated, "The People Power Party is not composed solely of former leader Lee Jun-seok and his pro-Lee young supporters. All party members must make painstaking efforts to restore public trust and uphold the will of the people who chose the Yoon Seok-yeol government," emphasizing, "However, the method must not be one that deals a fatal blow to the government and the party. It must not be driven by a desire for the Yoon Seok-yeol government to fail."

He continued, "I express strong regret over former leader Lee’s recent actions," and raised his voice, saying, "His handling before and after the Ethics Committee’s disciplinary action and his unilateral criticism of the party and government have been major causes of the loss of national governance momentum. The heavy responsibility of being the ruling party leader is not for someone’s personal political agenda."

Chairman Jang said, "I want to ask former leader Lee," and questioned, "Was the countless criticism and harsh words directed at President Yoon Seok-yeol during the primary process rooted in a desire for regime change and affection for a successful government? Or was it to become the main character and attract media attention? Before airing all kinds of stories on broadcasts, did he ever sincerely try to persuade internally even once?"

He added, "When the people hoping for regime change were gripped by the fear that candidate Lee Jae-myung (Democratic Party) might become president, where was former leader Lee?" and criticized, "By irresponsibly abandoning the election campaign committee twice, he put the presidential candidate in a difficult position and made the media focus on every move of the party leader."

He said, "The values advocated by former leader Lee, especially the various pledges and messages that excited the younger generation, were realized because of talents who persuaded and coordinated with the older generation behind the scenes," emphasizing, "It was never because of the shock therapy of former leader Lee, who abandoned responsibility and left. Healthy internal criticism must start with persuading the other side."

Finally, Chairman Jang said, "It is easy to appear on broadcasts, criticize people, and say that only my way is right. On the other hand, it is difficult to coordinate opinions with those who think differently and put things into action," and demanded, "Former leader Lee has grown his stature by taking the easy path of gaining attention rather than the difficult path. I make a final appeal: show the image of a politician devoted to the success of the government."