[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Park Sung-joong, a People Power Party lawmaker aligned with the pro-Yoon faction, raised his voice against former leader Lee Jun-seok, who has been providing "indirect support" to pro-Lee Jun-seok figures running in the party leadership election, calling it "election interference." Former leader Lee Jun-seok rebutted, saying, "Did I carry out a group lynching?"
On the 2nd, former leader Lee posted on his social media (SNS), "Did Lee Jun-seok urge anyone not to run? Did Lee Jun-seok arbitrarily change the rules? Did Lee Jun-seok circulate a petition? Did Lee Jun-seok carry out a group lynching against someone?" He added, "Surprisingly, Lee Jun-seok did nothing. Let's get a grip. Those who planned and carried out the above actions should step back," raising his voice.
This was aimed at the so-called 'Yoon core group (Yoon Seok-yeol's key associates).' The recent incidents within the party regarding former lawmaker Na Kyung-won's 'pressure to not run' are election interference by the Yoon core group, not the former leader's actions. Former leader Lee is serving as the sponsor chairman for lawmaker Heo Eun-ah, who is running for Supreme Council member, and former youth Supreme Council member Kim Yong-tae in this leadership election.
Regarding Lee Ki-in, a Gyeonggi Province assembly member running for youth Supreme Council member, he also showed support through SNS on the same day, saying, "Isn't it necessary to have at least one person with this level of talent and popularity in the party leadership, rather than youth petitioners who just follow someone around?" Cheon Ha-ram, former Suncheon party district chairman, classified as part of the Lee Jun-seok faction, is also running for party leader.
Earlier, pro-Yoon faction lawmaker Park held a press conference on the same day and raised his voice toward former leader Lee, saying, "Stop interfering in the election any further." He pointed out, "There were media reports that the former leader would serve as the sponsor chairman for certain Supreme Council member candidates. Furthermore, through a book publication, he officially declared that he would travel nationwide throughout the party leader election period, effectively 'participating' in the party leader election," adding, "Such election campaigning violates the People Power Party's party rules and regulations."
He explained, "According to Article 10 of the party's regulations on the election of the leader and Supreme Council members, those who are suspended from party membership rights do not have voting rights. According to Constitutional Court precedents, the Public Official Election Act, and academic papers, voting rights mean not only the right to vote but also the right to participate in the election," adding, "In other words, (voting rights) include the right to vote, the right to campaign, and the right to be a member of a sponsor group."
According to party rules, former leader Lee, who does not have voting rights, serving as a sponsor chairman is effectively election campaigning. He warned, "Former leader Lee serving as a sponsor chairman or campaigning for a specific person during his party membership suspension period is illegal election interference violating party rules," and cautioned, "Do not cause confusion in the party again."
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