Lee Jun-seok: "It is easier to face Lee Jae-myung, who is on the decline, than Lee Nak-yeon"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 19th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 20th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, evaluated that Lee Jae-myung, the ruling party's top presidential candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, is easier to face than former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon from the opposition camp.

In an interview with Yonhap News TV on the same day, Lee said, "From our perspective, Lee Jae-myung, who has been on a recent downward trend, might be a bit easier to deal with," adding, "Former leader Lee Nak-yeon combines experience in state affairs, legislative activities, and a journalist's sensibility, which makes him somewhat more threatening."

Regarding Lee Jae-myung's recent drop in approval ratings, Lee Jun-seok said, "He is largely responsible for his own downfall," and evaluated, "Lee's 'pants remark' was a point that even I found chilling." Earlier, on the 5th, during a Democratic Party preliminary TV debate, when asked about the 'actress scandal' allegations, Lee Jae-myung responded, "Should I pull my pants down one more time? What do you want me to do?" which sparked controversy.

Regarding the decline in public opinion poll support for opposition presidential candidate former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, Lee said, "There is no need for the public to react sensitively to fluctuations in approval ratings. Even after being selected as a candidate, approval ratings fluctuate," adding, "Former President Roh Moo-hyun's approval ratings fluctuated from his nomination until unification, but he became president after going through that."

Meanwhile, about former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, who joined the People Power Party on the 15th, Lee said, "I don't particularly like politicians with many good stories. When good stories are excessively highlighted, their abilities sometimes go unnoticed," adding, "However, former Chairman Choi, despite having many good stories, does not put them at the forefront in his political activities. That was very unusual."

He continued, "His actions are decisively different from the prejudices we have about former judges or public officials. Also, his messages are clear and concise," and praised, "Contrary to my prejudices, he appears in a good light."

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