Progressive Party Criticizes Lee Junseok's Excuse for Protesting Outside on Martial Law Day as Truly Pathetic

"Unable to Even Discern Priorities?"

On May 24, the Progressive Party criticized, "Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, who did not appear at the National Assembly plenary chamber on December 3 last year, made excuses during the second TV debate, saying, 'I was outside because I felt relieved after seeing that nearly 170 people had entered, and I wanted to protest the unjust entry.' This is truly beyond pathetic."

Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, is preparing ahead of the start of the 2nd candidate debate for the 21st presidential election, hosted by the National Election Commission, held at the KBS headquarters studio in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Hong Seongkyu, chief spokesperson of the Progressive Party, stated in a commentary that day, "On the night when Yoon Sukyeol and his group brazenly pointed guns at the hearts of the people, the most important and urgent duty of those who wore the National Assembly badge was to lift the martial law." He continued, "It is simply absurd for someone who cannot even discern the proper priorities to be a presidential candidate."

Chief spokesperson Hong said, "Is Lee saying that he has no intention of even entering the plenary chamber when the Democratic Party of Korea, which holds far more than a majority of seats, participates with a party position? Even if he enters numerically, would it have any real significance in terms of supporting or opposing?"

Chief spokesperson Hong added, "The truly problematic thing about Lee is his warped thinking, which is completely out of touch with public sentiment. That is why he openly refused to join the roundtable in the National Assembly to unite against the forces of rebellion, and even declared that he would not go out to the public square."