Dolphins, Anchovies, Impeachment, and Recordings... How Far Will 'Gukhim' Bad News Go? [Han Seung-gon's Political Notebook]

Conflict over 'Impeachment' Remarks in Yoon Camp Debate
Yoon Seok-yeol Expresses Regret in Call to Defuse Controversy
New Conflict Arises Amid Recording Disclosure Suspicion
Heated Debate Over Debate Format... Lee's Leadership Publicly Criticized

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 5th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Dolphins, anchovies, mackerel, hyenas... I don't know what will come out next."

This is a complaint from a man in his 40s who identified himself as a supporter of the People Power Party. The dolphin remark is part of a recent exchange of words among the People Power Party's presidential primary candidates, Supreme Council members, and senior lawmakers, to the extent that it has been mocked as an 'animal kingdom' between Lee and others.

Along with supporters' dissatisfaction, the People Power Party has recently been engulfed in internal conflicts. First, presidential primary candidate Yoon Seok-yeol and party leader Lee Jun-seok clashed head-on over the recent 'impeachment' remarks. Additionally, another controversy arose when suspicions surfaced that Lee recorded a phone call with former Prosecutor General Yoon.

Lee's side explained that the recording was not intentional and that no transcript exists, so the conflict between the two is in the process of being resolved. However, internal party conflicts regarding Lee's leadership and differing opinions on the format of the presidential candidates' debate remain. Some even criticize it as a power struggle. Meanwhile, a poll showed that support for the People Power Party among people in their 20s is declining.

◆ Conflict over 'impeachment' remarks followed by dispute over leaked recording between Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jun-seok

Earlier on the 11th, Shin Ji-ho, political affairs director of Yoon's campaign, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Hanpan Seungbu' and said regarding the presidential candidate debate promoted by the party's primary preparation committee, "Even if it is a party decision or the president, if it is not based on the constitution and laws, wouldn't impeachment be possible?" Following this, Lee immediately posted on his Facebook, protesting that "the true colors have been revealed," deepening the conflict between the two sides.

However, on the 12th, Yoon called Lee to express regret over the impeachment remarks, and the conflict over the 'impeachment' comment began to be resolved. But then, suspicions arose that the call was recorded and that the transcript was leaked by Lee's side. The transcript reportedly contained Yoon strongly reprimanding campaign staff over the impeachment remarks and asking Lee for understanding.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, is attending the 'Greater People Power Party Re-election Lawmakers Meeting' held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 11th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding this, Lee's side explained through a media outlet, "Lee did not intentionally record the call; the phone used has an automatic recording function, so it was recorded, and the staff transcribed it, but it was accidentally leaked outside."

In response to this explanation, Yoon's side said, "Former Prosecutor General Yoon was informed about the recording and transcript leak," expressing displeasure, "How could he feel good about it?"

Summarizing the situation, the conflict between the two sides sparked by the impeachment remarks was on the path to resolution after Yoon's expression of regret, but the unexpected leak of the call recording transcript has plunged them back into conflict.

Meanwhile, on the 15th, Lee posted on his Facebook regarding the controversy over the call recording and transcript leak with Yoon, stating, "Since the recording file does not exist, naturally, the transcript does not exist either." He added, "The conversation with Yoon on that day (the 12th) was subject to intense coverage by more than 60 journalists, and since the conversation was not long, most of the content was conveyed to the journalists during the reporting process, and the orally conveyed parts seem to have been organized into a document," rebutting the transcript leak allegations.

Lee also mentioned, "A journalist from an unidentified media outlet, who was named in an unknown information report as having heard support remarks for a specific candidate, just called me to say it is groundless and incomprehensible." In response, Yoon said, "I think the People Power Party must first be firmly armed with fairness and common sense," which is interpreted as an indirect criticism that Lee's actions go against 'fairness and common sense.'

◆ "If the debate is canceled, it will cause further discord..." People Power Party again conflicted over mediation proposal for debate

The conflict surrounding the presidential candidates' debate is another issue to be resolved. Earlier, the People Power Party leadership considered a compromise to change the debate into a policy presentation, but when the primary preparation committee rejected this, they decided to maintain the original debate format.

On the 13th, Seo Byung-soo, chairman of the primary preparation committee, told reporters at the National Assembly, "Lee and floor leader Kim mentioned a presentation, and the committee discussed it, but concluded that maintaining the debate format is the right decision." Seo added, "If we keep changing directions because of constant interference, what will happen? If the debate is canceled, it could cause another dispute."

Meanwhile, 16 re-elected lawmakers of the People Power Party issued a statement on the same day, expressing deep concern over Lee's words and writings directed inward at this critical time, openly criticizing him. They urged, "Lee should deeply consider the will of the party members and the people who chose him at the party convention and strive for unity and expansion of the party's base." This public criticism of Lee's leadership came even before the conflict over the presidential candidates' debate had subsided.

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, and Seo Byung-soo, the chairman of the primary election preparation committee, are talking at the People Power Party's 20th presidential election primary candidates' general meeting held on the 5th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ "Will not tolerate arrogance and dogmatism" Lee's leadership conflict... opposing views also emerge

On the other hand, there are criticisms that Lee does not allow the presidential candidates to take center stage. Former Jeju Governor and presidential candidate Won Hee-ryong sharpened his words against Lee on the 13th via his Facebook, saying, "I will not tolerate arrogance and dogmatism."

Won said, "Lee is now intoxicated with memories of success and power. Stop the arbitrary attitude of 'Leave the primary rule-making and promotion to me,'" and raised his voice, "Do you not know why our party has failed so far? It was because of the leader's arrogance and dogmatism."

In response, lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo defended Lee on his Facebook, saying, "I hope that supporters of specific candidates refrain from banding together to attack the party leader," and added, "The party leader must be the center." Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also supported Lee, saying, "It is not desirable for any camp to have too much conflict with the party leadership," and "I plan to attend all debates regardless of how many are held."

Yoon's side is watching the internal discussions. On the 13th, lawmaker Jang Je-won, who serves as the general manager of the campaign's comprehensive situation room, appeared on a radio show and said, "Regardless of pros and cons, I will cooperate unconditionally with schedules that align with legitimacy, principles, and common sense," leaving room for cooperation.

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 5th, reviewing documents. [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Fierce debate over debate format amid Yoon-Lee conflict... how far will the negative factors go?

Supporters express worried voices about this situation. Some even vent frustration, saying, "I don't know what they are doing at all." There are criticisms that the People Power Party is showing signs of 'division and internal strife' even before the official primary campaign has started. Lee, the party leadership, and presidential candidates are all voicing different opinions, leading to criticism that it resembles a chaotic marketplace rather than a united team.

A man in his 40s, Kim, said, "Isn't the presidential election coming soon? I want to see the policies of various People Power Party presidential candidates, but they fight every day, so I can only sigh."

Another office worker in his 30s, Choi, said, "Politics is naturally noisy, but this is beyond noisy," and pointed out, "Something needs to be organized."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party, which had been securing support among people in their 20s, has been overtaken by the Democratic Party in that age group. This is interpreted as voter defection due to ongoing conflicts surrounding the party's primary. According to a poll released on the 13th by Gallup Korea, which surveyed 1,002 people aged 18 and over nationwide from the 10th to 12th, the Democratic Party recorded 27% support among people in their 20s, surpassing the People Power Party's 23%.

Looking at the trend of support rates for the Democratic Party and People Power Party among people in their 20s: in the first week of July, it was 24%-30%; second week, 23%-25%; third week, 19%-23%, with the People Power Party leading for three consecutive weeks. However, in the fourth week of July, both parties tied at 21%, and in the fifth week, the Democratic Party reversed the lead at 29%-19%. In the first week of August, the Democratic Party had 28%, and the People Power Party 20%, narrowing the gap to 8 percentage points. For detailed information, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.

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