Heo Eun-ah: "Is it Lee Jun-seok's parents' fault? In Yo-han is the ultimate kkontae among kkontae"

"IJoonseok, Not Considering Nomination"

Inyo Han, the Innovation Committee Chairman, referred to former People Power Party (PPP) leader Lee Jun-seok as 'Junseok-i' during a lecture for party members, saying "He has no morals; it’s not Lee’s fault but his parents’ fault." In response, Heo Eun-ah, a PPP lawmaker aligned with Lee Jun-seok, criticized him as "the ultimate old-fashioned person."

On the 27th, on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Rep. Heo said, "It seems he is completely out of touch," adding, "these days, people's mothers and fathers belong to Generation X and Generation Y, so is it appropriate to lecture them like this?" she questioned.

Heo Eun-ah, candidate for the Supreme Council member of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Chairman In reportedly made the remarks at a PPP youth and party member innovation training event held the previous day in Taean County, Chungnam Province, saying, "Through Korea’s ondol floor culture and the warm spot education, people learn knowledge, wisdom, and morals, but Junseok has no morals," and "It’s not Junseok’s fault but largely his parents’ fault." In response, former leader Lee said, "Is insulting someone's parents innovation?" The term 'insulting parents' is a compound of 'insult' and 'filial impiety,' referring to inappropriate remarks targeting parents or family.

Heo said, "This is exactly the ultimate old-fashioned attitude, and when I was recruited as talent for our party, the request was to eliminate our old-fashioned image," adding, "If you look at people these days through the lens of those times when they talked about the warm spot and overstepped boundaries invoking the king’s words, our party truly has no future."

When asked by the host whether this remark reflects the core sentiment of the ruling party and if it would make Lee’s return to the party difficult, Heo responded, "The direction that former leader Lee is heading seems to be becoming like that now," and "Even if he makes a U-turn, it could be risky. If you only focus on former leader Lee, it is indeed the right time to have such thoughts."

She also said, "Former leader Lee is not currently considering nomination. Because even if he receives a nomination, it is difficult to win the hearts of Seoul voters. What he hopes for is victory," adding, "when our approval rating was in the 30% range, it was difficult to win in Nowon or Dongdaemun as well under the PPP, so nomination is not important to us."

When asked if she would leave the party if former leader Lee forms a new party, Heo said, "She is currently deeply considering it," adding, "If things do not change and we seriously question whether this is truly a conservative party, then I think it is a very serious point to consider." As a proportional representation lawmaker, Heo would lose her seat if she leaves the party.