"Lee Jun-seok's 'Will leave Earth if Yoon becomes president' comment... Kwak Sang-do says, 'Hope it's not to help a specific candidate'"

Photo by Yoon Seok-yeol, former Prosecutor General, Instagram capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Kwon Sang-do, a member of the People Power Party, sharply criticized past remarks by Lee Jun-seok, saying, "I hope that the things done so far were not intended to help a specific candidate."

On the 11th, Kwon posted on his Facebook, "It is said that Lee Jun-seok stated on YouTube that he ran for party leader to make candidate Yoo Seung-min president," and expressed this view.

He added, "The presidential candidate is decided by party members and public sentiment, not something the leader should manipulate," drawing a clear line.

According to the article shared by Kwon, Lee previously appeared on the Daegu Maeil Newspaper YouTube channel 'Maeil Newspaper Press 18' on March 6, when he was a candidate for party leader. In response to the question, "What if Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, becomes mayor of Seoul and former President Yoon becomes president?" Lee jokingly replied, "(If both are elected) we should leave the Earth."

He added, "I am someone who said I would emigrate if Moon Jae-in became president." When asked, "What if former President Yoon says 'Come here'?" Lee said, "I have someone I need to make president. Yoo Seung-min. I will take control of the party."

Earlier, in December 2019, Lee appeared on 'Women’s Newspaper TV' and was asked, "What do you hope for in the 21st National Assembly ahead of the 21st general election?" He replied, "I hope my party (Bareunmirae Party) wins overwhelmingly in the 21st National Assembly and later makes Yoo Seung-min president."

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, is speaking at the 'Gyeongnam Press Conference' held at the People Power Party Gyeongsangnam-do Office in Uichang-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, on the afternoon of the 9th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Some interpret Lee’s past remarks as a foreshadowing of conflict with former President Yoon. Recently, Yoon and Lee have been engaged in a war of nerves over the 'leadership bypass' controversy. On the 11th, after a meeting with re-elected members of the People Power Party, Yoon explained, "I have communicated well with Lee and do not understand why it appears we are in conflict," adding, "Until recently, I met with Lee and even spoke on the phone."

He further stated on his Instagram, "How can politics be done if we keep holding onto everything said from each side?" and "I do not understand the baseless conflict rumors without objective facts." Along with the hashtag 'Even conceded the chicken leg,' he posted a photo walking hand in hand with Lee, dismissing rumors of discord.

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