When 'Impeachment' Mentioned in Party Member Orders, Sweating Profusely
"I Did Not Read That" Also Explained
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was caught covering his mouth in surprise while reading messages sent by party members. Lee attended the 'Meeting with Party Members' event held at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 19th.
At the event, party members conveyed their requests to Lee, urging him to make practical efforts to restore the great Republic of Korea. Among the proposals were a 250,000 KRW livelihood recovery support fund for all citizens, a four-year presidential term with one re-election, the introduction of a runoff voting system, and constitutional amendments. While reading the messages, Lee inadvertently read aloud a party member's message containing the phrase "Impeach Yoon Seok-yeol."
Startled, Lee said, "Impeach Yoon Seok-yeol? What is this all of a sudden..." and covered his mouth with his hand. He later clarified, "I did not read that part." Park Chan-dae, a Supreme Council member, also explained, "That was said by a party member named Kim." They were concerned that the impeachment mention might be misunderstood as an official party message. However, after this scene was made public, some supporters of the ruling party suggested that Lee might have subtly revealed his true feelings.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is personally introducing Hong Cheol-ho, the new Senior Secretary for Political Affairs of the Presidential Office, at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 22nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the same day, President Yoon Seok-yeol reportedly proposed in a phone call with Lee to "meet in Yongsan to discuss state affairs." This would be the first summit meeting between the president and the opposition party leader since Yoon took office. It is expected that the main agenda will include the 250,000 KRW per person support fund that Lee had proposed as an election pledge. The Democratic Party has requested the government and ruling party to prepare a supplementary budget of about 13 trillion KRW for the support fund.
Regarding the meeting with Lee on the 22nd, President Yoon stated, "We will try to narrow our differences and find livelihood issues we can agree on, so that we can do at least a few things to stabilize the people's livelihood." He added, "We will not limit the agenda and will have a diverse discussion." On the same day, Lee emphasized, "I will meet the president and convey the public sentiment revealed in this general election without distortion," and "Our politics must solve the people's issues related to their livelihood."
However, the scheduled working-level meeting between the presidential office and the Democratic Party was canceled. The Democratic Party stated, "A preparatory meeting was scheduled between Cheon Jun-ho, chief of staff to the Democratic Party leader, and Han O-seop, senior secretary for political affairs at the presidential office, but Han unilaterally canceled the schedule citing an upcoming senior-level personnel reshuffle." They expressed regret over the inadequate handling of the working-level meeting, which was meant to prepare for an important summit reflecting the general election public sentiment.
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