Tensions Over 'Yoon Joining the Party'... Na Kyung-won Says "It Causes Discomfort" vs Lee Jun-seok "Too Much Talk"

Candidate Lee Jun-seok, a contender for the People Power Party leadership. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Na Kyung-won and Lee Jun-seok, candidates running for the People Power Party leadership election, engaged in a heated exchange on the 3rd over former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, who is considered the next presidential candidate for the opposition.

On that day, Candidate Na pointed out in a post on her Facebook, "Candidate Lee is twisting the situation as if Yoon responded to his 'early bus departure theory.' Yoon is following his own schedule, but Lee is interpreting it in a self-serving way."

She continued, "This is a case of politically exploiting even the goodwill extended by a candidate," adding, "Trying to create an image that the presidential candidate is being led by the party leader candidate through media play. Such an attitude causes considerable discomfort to the presidential candidate."

She also expressed concern, saying, "Moreover, this morning, the high-handed attitude that seems like 'gapjil' regarding the merger issue with the People’s Party increases anxiety even more," and "Party members and the public cannot help but worry that there might be a rough dispute with Ahn Cheol-soo, the leader of the People’s Party, and that the integration might ultimately fall through."

Furthermore, Candidate Na emphasized, "We must be cautious and restrained. Every presidential candidate must be respected. To prevent any damage to their honor and authority, the party leader should quietly work behind the scenes."

People Power Party leadership candidate Na Kyung-won. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Candidate Lee appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' in the morning and said regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon’s entry into the People Power Party, "It seems like a response with the intention to board before our bus actually departs." The 'bus' he referred to means the People Power Party presidential primary.

Regarding the merger with the People’s Party, he said, "Leader Ahn is not joining as an individual like former Prosecutor General Yoon but through a merger, so if I become party leader, it is necessary to confirm the will of all party members during the merger process," adding, "Since 99.9% of the People’s Party’s power lies with Leader Ahn, if we appoint 60 to 70 party organizers, is that fair? We should not make unreasonable demands," showing a cautious stance.

In response to Candidate Na’s criticism, Candidate Lee stated, "The number 2 bus of the People Power Party is open to anyone who brings a transportation card."

Candidate Lee posted on his Facebook, "It is hard to understand why there are many comments when someone worries about what happens if a specific person does not get on the bus, attacks, and then that person is the first to try to board the bus holding a T-money card at the stop."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.