People Power Party: "Lee Chunseok Must Resign Immediately... Behavior Bordering on Stock Addiction"

Choi Eunseok, Chief Spokesperson, Issues Commentary
"Sound Judgment in Question"

The People Power Party has called for the immediate resignation of independent lawmaker Lee Chunseok, who has been sent to the prosecution without detention on charges of proxy stock trading.

Choi Eunseok, Chief Spokesperson for the People Power Party's parliamentary group, stated in a commentary on December 25, "Assemblyman Lee should no longer tarnish the honor of his office and must step down immediately," adding, "If he continued to invest in stocks under his aide's name despite a 90% loss, this amounts to behavior bordering on stock addiction. Continuing legislative activities in a situation where his ability to make sound judgments is in question is disrespectful to the public."

Lee Chun-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea embroiled in the 'proxy trading controversy,' is voting on a motion to end unlimited debate at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on August 5, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Chief Spokesperson Choi explained, "According to the police investigation, the amount invested reached as much as 1.2 billion won," and added, "The police decided not to refer the core allegation of 'using undisclosed information' to the prosecution, citing the reason that 90% of the investment was lost."

He continued, "Given that Assemblyman Lee has held key positions such as Chief of Staff to presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung, Chair of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and Division Head of the National Policy Planning Committee, it is difficult to accept this conclusion as reasonable," and added, "It is inevitable that suspicions and anger will arise that this investigation was conducted to protect a close aide of the President."

Choi then broadened his criticism to the entire ruling bloc. He said, "The Lee Jaemyung administration should stop deceiving the public with empty promises such as a stock index of 5,000," and pointed out, "A key government official invested 1.2 billion won in stocks under borrowed names and suffered a 90% loss. Yet, while preventing ordinary citizens from buying homes, the government encourages them to make leveraged investments in stocks with that money. This is openly mocking the public."

On August 4, Assemblyman Lee was caught by the media trading stocks under his aide's name in the main hall of the National Assembly, which sparked controversy. The following day, on August 5, he left the Democratic Party of Korea. On December 23, the police referred Assemblyman Lee to the prosecution without detention on charges of proxy stock trading.