"If Lee Jun-seok Forms a New Party, It Will Become a Cult Party"
Kim Min-su, spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated that "if former leader Lee Jun-seok leaves, the People Power Party's approval rating will actually rise in the long term." In response to this, Lee Jun-seok reacted by demanding, "Expel me immediately." Jo Jeong-hoon, a member of the Transition Era party who recently decided to join the People Power Party, expressed concern, saying, "(Former leader Lee) seems to be turning into a fighting rooster."
On the 20th, Jo said on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "We need to consider whether Lee's current actions and activities will be a plus or a minus for him."
Earlier, spokesperson Kim analyzed an article citing an internal party member's statement on MBN News that "if former leader Lee leaves the party, the approval rating will drop by 3-4%," and said, "In the long term, it will rise by 3-4%." In response, Lee shared the broadcast and raised his voice, saying, "Expel me."
However, Jo pointed out that Lee's response like this is not very beneficial to him. He said, "The essence of conservative politics is dignity, not just eloquence," adding, "But it seems that former leader Lee is repeatedly using his top-notch eloquence nationwide to undermine himself and the camp he belongs to."
He continued, "Every politician has symbolic capital, but (former leader Lee) seems to be turning more and more into a fighting rooster," and warned, "A fighting rooster gets eaten once the fight is over because it's no fun."
He also advised the People Power Party not to provoke Lee too much. Jo said, "I think former leader Lee is a very rare political resource among the 30s and 40s generation," and added, "The party should not scratch or provoke him too much. Right now, his temper is flaring up, so they should avoid that."
He also emphasized that the party should embrace Lee until the end. He said, "I believe efforts must be made until the very end. Even if there is a breakup, the party does not need to be the first to seal it."
Regarding the possibility of the so-called 'Lee Jun-seok New Party,' he said, "If he starts a new party, it will become a cult party," explaining, "Lee's rarity lies in the big party. In a relatively older and somewhat old-fashioned environment, Lee's novelty and youth stand out."
He added, "If everyone leaves and only Lee remains, what would be the symbol of the 'Lee Jun-seok Party'? Freedom? Market economy? Nothing. So it inevitably becomes a cult," discouraging the formation of a new party. Jo said, "(Former leader Lee) should sincerely try to succeed in Nowon, where he prepared himself, and even if he loses in the process, if he truly contributes to the party, the ruling party will naturally show other considerations."
On the other hand, regarding former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, he said, "He is more regrettable than former leader Lee. It seems he has already crossed the river," and added, "I doubt whether Yoo hopes for this government to succeed. It feels like the emotional bitterness from the presidential election still remains."
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