Lee Junseok's Camp Exposes "Party Leadership Deal" by People Power Party Figures
"Unification in Exchange for Party Leadership... Candidate Must Be Moonsoo Kim," They Claim
Bae Says, "The Pro-Yoon Coup Happened Recently; They're Capable of Anything"
Bae Hyun-jin, a member of the People Power Party, criticized the so-called "party leadership deal" allegations that have surfaced within some circles of the party, saying, "Party members and supporters watching this are heartbroken." On May 21, through her social media account, Bae stated, "At a time when everyone is desperately focused on the election campaign, is this a carrot trade or a party leadership trade?" She added, "I sincerely hope this is false news."
Bae also said, "Unless the identity of the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol faction) figure pointed out by the side of Junseok Lee, the Reform New Party presidential candidate, is revealed, we cannot know the facts." She continued, "It was only recently that some pro-Yoon figures attempted a dawn coup, trying to make former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo the host of party leadership. Many people are clicking their tongues, saying these individuals are capable of such things." She further pointed out, "Constantly seeking a host for survival is the behavior of parasites."
Previously, Lee Dong-hoon, chief spokesperson for Junseok Lee's campaign, revealed on social media that the People Power Party had proposed a party leadership deal. Lee stated, "Recently, many People Power Party figures have been calling Lee’s side, suggesting unification. Most of them are pro-Yoon figures." He continued, "They say things like, 'Let’s unify and we’ll give you the party leadership,' or 'Come in and take over the party.' The premise is always the same: the presidential candidate must be Moonsoo Kim."
He added, "This is a calculation based on the party leadership structure after the presidential election." He continued, "These people are anxious that Han Dong-hoon might seize the party leadership of the People Power Party after the presidential election. They believe it would be better for Junseok Lee to take the party leadership instead." He went on, "They don’t seem to care much about winning or losing the presidential election. It’s an attempt to create an alibi to avoid responsibility for defeat. Even if they lose the election, they seem to be preparing a narrative that 'Junseok Lee refused unification, so we lost.' In other words, they are looking for someone to share the blame."
People Power Party presidential candidate Moonsoo Kim and Reform New Party presidential candidate Junseok Lee. Photo by Hyunmin Kim
However, candidate Junseok Lee drew a line regarding the "party leadership deal" allegations, saying, "No one has said such things to me," and "There is no context in which to discuss party leadership. Having served as the leader of the People Power Party, I have no illusions about party leadership or anything of the sort," denying the possibility of unification based on a party leadership deal.
The Democratic Party of Korea announced plans for legal action, claiming that the People Power Party had attempted to "buy off a candidate." Cho Seung-rae, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party's election committee, said, "If what Lee’s spokesperson said is true, it constitutes the crime of bribing and inducing a candidate. We will file a complaint against the People Power Party for violating the Public Official Election Act and hold them accountable." He urged, "Clarify transparently whether it is true that you made an illegal unification proposal."
Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, also mentioned the "party leadership deal" allegations on social media that day, stating, "The pro-Yoon coup forces have fought against me in the past, not against Lee Jae-myung." He added, "This is what real internal sabotage looks like." He explained, "They are afraid that I will take the lead in eradicating the old pro-Yoon politics," and emphasized, "And I will do so. Without eradicating the old pro-Yoon politics, the People Power Party has no future."
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