Yoo Seung-min's Fierce Attack: "Unofficial Controversy Over Summit? Did Yoon and Lee Become Allies Due to Judicial Risks?"

"Yoon, Do Not Mock Conservatives"

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min strongly criticized the claim that an unofficial channel coordinated behind the scenes during the summit meeting between President Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, and that discussions about personnel appointments in the presidential office were also involved, saying, "If true, it's outrageous."

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min [Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@]

On the 8th, Yoo posted on Facebook, "What kind of master is Lee Jae-myung?" and questioned, "How can the principle and standard of presidential appointments be that the president does not appoint people who make Lee uncomfortable?" He added, "The so-called unofficial channel says that President Yoon told Lee that he would not appoint people who make him uncomfortable," and criticized, "No matter how uncomfortable Lee is, shouldn't the president appoint people for whom there is absolutely no reason to oppose?"

He continued, "At one time, they said they couldn't meet because Lee was a criminal, but now, since both couples have judicial risks, have they become comrades?" and urged, "President Yoon should no longer mock the conservatives who supported the people and himself, and should engage in state affairs fairly and squarely." He also criticized again, saying, "It is outrageous that the words attributed to President Yoon, leaked through unofficial channels, say he pleaded with Lee to recognize his sincerity."

Earlier, Hankook Ilbo reported that Ham Sung-duk, dean of the Graduate School of Political Studies at Kyonggi University, and Im Hyuk-baek, professor emeritus at Korea University, acted as unofficial special envoys on behalf of President Yoon and Lee, respectively, to coordinate the summit meeting. President Yoon reportedly conveyed his intention to exclude personnel uncomfortable to Lee from the appointment of the presidential chief of staff for the next presidential election and expressed willingness to establish a "hotline" with a direct phone number to Lee as a conciliatory gesture.

In response, the presidential office dismissed the controversy, stating, "There was no grand special envoy or behind-the-scenes channel," and emphasized, "It was done through official channels."