People Power Party Expels Lee Hyehoon at Supreme Council Meeting: "Act of Betrayal"

Voices of Criticism Erupt Within the Party

On December 28, the People Power Party expelled former lawmaker Lee Hyehoon, a member of their own party who was selected as the first Minister of Planning and Budget nominee under the Lee Jaemyung administration.

In a press release, the People Power Party stated, "This afternoon, we convened a Supreme Council meeting and, in accordance with the party constitution and regulations, passed an agenda item to expel former lawmaker Lee and to annul all party-related activities she performed as a party official."

Yonhap News Agency

The party added, "As a local party committee chair, former lawmaker Lee agreed to serve as a cabinet minister in the Lee Jaemyung administration, thereby willingly collaborating with the current government. With only six months left before the local elections, she committed an unprecedented act of betrayal against the people and party members."

The party also stated, "By continuing to carry out party duties, such as conducting evaluations of elected officials without disclosing her cabinet nomination, she disrupted party order and deliberately interfered with party operations in a manner that no reasonable person would commit."

There is also a strong backlash within the party. Assemblywoman Bae Hyunjin criticized via social media, saying, "For a former three-term senior lawmaker who represented Seocho-gap, a strategic and stronghold district for the People Power Party, and the current party committee chair for Jung-Sungdong-eul, to join the Lee Jaemyung administration without even submitting a letter of resignation is a clear act of betrayal that goes beyond political ethics."

Likewise, Assemblyman Joo Jinwoo posted a photo of a banner put up in the name of the party committee, which read, "The Republic of Korea is collapsing due to the Democratic Party's incitement of rebellion," and commented, "A conservative's betrayal is guilty; Lee Hyehoon verification begins." Former party leader Han Donghoon wrote, "What is the true identity of the Lee Jaemyung administration, which nominates someone who defends martial law and supports 'Yoon Again' as a key minister?"