Lee Jun-seok Urges 'Resignation' in Response to Yoon's Message
Yoon Tells Supporters "We Will Fight Until the End"
Lee Jun-seok, a member of the Reform New Party, is talking with Assemblyman Cheon Ha-ram at the plenary session held at the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
Lee Jun-seok, a member of the Reform New Party, urged President Yoon Suk-yeol to "immediately resign, even if he cannot run in the early presidential election," after Yoon sent a letter to participants of the anti-impeachment rally stating that "South Korea is currently in danger due to the agitation of forces infringing on sovereignty both inside and outside the country and anti-state forces." On the 2nd, Lee wrote on his Facebook, "The letter President Yoon sent to supporters in front of the presidential residence. I can't believe he is still viewing the world through YouTube."
He continued, "I cannot help but feel sorrow seeing a political incapacitated person who still supports martial law for profit and seems willing to sell their soul to the devil as soon as money comes," emphasizing, "The last thing President Yoon Suk-yeol can do for South Korea is to immediately resign." He also mentioned his birthday this year when he turns 40, the eligible age to run for president, saying, "Even if the early presidential election is held before March 31 and Lee Jun-seok cannot run, so what? The country is collapsing." He added, "I hope South Korea normalizes as soon as possible," and "I think I will fall asleep tonight crying with a bitter heart."
On the 1st, lawyer Yoo Seung-su, who is defending former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, conveyed a message from President Yoon Seok-yeol through a group chat room on social media. Photo by Yonhap News
Earlier, around 7:30 p.m. the previous day, President Yoon delivered a one-page letter to supporters gathered in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, stating, "South Korea is currently in danger due to the agitation of forces infringing on sovereignty both inside and outside the country and anti-state forces," and "I will fight to the end with you to protect this country." He also said, "Thank you for coming out in such numbers and making efforts to protect the free democratic constitutional order of this country," and "I am watching your efforts through the real-time live broadcast on YouTube."
Meanwhile, Lee Jun-seok has previously stated that if he must ally with one of the conservative presidential candidates, he would ally with Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party. On the 31st of last year, on TV Chosun's YouTube channel 'Ryu Byung-soo's Punch,' Lee said about Ahn, "In the current situation, I think he is the most valuable candidate," adding, "Ahn Cheol-soo has not engaged in a legalistic politics that divides good and evil during his political career. Instead, he has talked a lot about the future."
He further pointed out, "Most politicians currently in the market are from legal backgrounds," and "Since the public has seen the limitations of legalistic politics, we need to move beyond it." He also mentioned Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, both from legal backgrounds, noting that although their political colors have weakened after long administrative careers, they likely view the world similarly to President Yoon and other politicians from legal professions due to their starting point.
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