"Hyung, Do You Want to Have a Drink?" Lee Jun-seok's Words to Kim Sang-wook, Who Supported Impeachment

Lee Jun-seok Approaches Kim Sang-wook After Casting Impeachment Support Vote
Lee Jun-seok: "Having a Meal with Young Lawmakers"

After the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol was passed, a conversation between Kim Sang-wook (44), who was sitting alone in the People Power Party's member seats, and Lee Jun-seok (39) of the Reform New Party was revealed. At the time, Kim had rejected the party line and voted in favor of impeachment, remaining seated with his head down for a while. It caught attention when Lee was seen reaching out his hand to comfort him.

After the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol was passed on the 14th, Lee Jun-seok, a member of the Reform New Party (right), and others approached Kim Sang-wook (center), who was sitting in the People Power Party members' seats, to offer encouragement. Photo by JTBC

On the 18th, Lee said on Channel A's 'Political Signal,' "That day, I simply asked, 'Hyung, do you want to have a drink tonight?' and Kim replied, 'I don't think so today,'" revealing that Kim was going through a tough time. Lee also mentioned, "Kim and I are close, so sometimes a few young lawmakers have meals together."

When the host asked, "There is a veto sentiment against young lawmakers who voted in favor, mainly among senior People Power Party members from the Yeongnam region. Do you plan to collaborate with young conservative lawmakers?" Lee drew a line, saying, "I have never once told lawmakers who are struggling, 'What do you want to do?' That would be disrespectful." However, he added, "Since they are making a big decision and struggling, I sometimes give advice when they ask," indicating that communication would continue in this manner.

On the same day, Lee also said, "When I was the People Power Party leader, during the Supreme Council meetings, I sometimes whispered to Kim Jae-won, and reporters asked, 'What did you say?' but I didn’t reveal it because it would be funny." He then subtly teased the former Supreme Council member, saying, "That whisper to Kim Jae-won was something like, 'You said unnecessary things on yesterday’s broadcast, so please don’t do that.'"

Earlier, on the 7th, Kim broke the party line during the first impeachment vote against President Yoon and participated in the vote alongside party members Ahn Cheol-soo and Kim Ye-ji. Ahead of the second vote, he expressed support for impeachment and held a solo protest for two days in the National Assembly main building, urging party members to support impeachment. While some publicly supported and encouraged Kim for his pro-impeachment stance, conservative supporters opposing impeachment criticized him as a "traitor." Following a series of threats against him and his family, it was also reported that Kim requested police protection for his safety.