Lee Jun-seok "Yoon Must Admit He Had Some Uncomfortable Feelings Toward Lee Jun-seok"

"If We Try to Resolve All Conflicts, It Will Take a Long Time"
Suggests Possibility of Re-Running in the Party Convention

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@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok responded to the question, "Do you have any intention to meet the President directly to resolve the conflict?" by saying, "If we try to resolve everything in the current situation, it will take a very long time."

In an interview with SBS on the 18th, Lee addressed the rumors of conflict with President Yoon, stating, "From my perspective, the most prioritized way to control the situation regarding the 'cherry thumbs-up' text message is to acknowledge at least that 'Yes, the President did have some uncomfortable feelings toward Representative Lee.'" He added, "This shows that there was no control tower managing crisis control from the start."

He continued, "Did we harbor irreparable conflicts beneath the surface while seriously discussing the election face-to-face and encouraging each other?"

He also said, "I believe misunderstandings can be resolved," and emphasized, "To do so, the first step is to be honest." Regarding the controversy over President Yoon joining the People Power Party during his candidacy without consulting Lee on July 30 last year, Lee said, "I think we need to reprimand the person who came up with this and the aide who advised it first."

Regarding the party convention to elect the next leadership, Lee said, "I think it should be held in June next year." When asked if he plans to run after his disciplinary period ends, he said, "I hope capable candidates who can reform our party will emerge," adding, "I may support them, but if not, I will have to run again," leaving the possibility of re-election open.

On why he raised the level of criticism against Representative Jang Je-won, one of the so-called 'Yoon core associates,' Lee explained, "There are talks that Representative Jang's intentions played a significant role in many of the personnel disasters we are witnessing."