Controversy Over 'Yoon Seok-yeol's Closing Remarks' Escalates... Won Hee-ryong "Release the Files" Lee Jun-seok "It's Pitiful"

Won Hee-ryong "Will Release Call Recording File Until 6 PM"
Lee Jun-seok's Side, Which Released Transcript, Likely to Refrain from Further Response
Ha Tae-gyeong "Won Hee-ryong Should Withdraw from Presidential Primary"

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Jun-i] As the presidential primary approaches, the People Power Party is heading toward its worst internal conflict as tensions flare between presidential candidates and the party leader. Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, who claims that Representative Lee Jun-seok made remarks implying "Yoon Seok-yeol will be settled soon," demanded by 6 p.m. on the 18th that Lee release the audio recording containing such statements. In response, Lee bluntly expressed his mixed feelings toward Won on social media, saying he felt "pitiful." Another presidential candidate, Representative Ha Tae-kyung, called for Won’s resignation, while former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, whose name has been mentioned, stated he would not respond at all, seemingly to avoid being dragged into the mudslinging.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the second day of attacking Representative Lee, former Governor Won held a press conference and said, "I swear on my memory and conscience, I will say it again clearly," confirming once more that the "settled soon" remark referred to former Prosecutor General Yoon. Earlier, Lee had posted on social media an AI-transcribed recording of a phone call with Won on the 10th, which included the controversial mention of "settling." He explained that the reference to settling meant resolving the conflict with former Prosecutor General Yoon.

However, Won insisted that the context and tone clearly meant "former Prosecutor General Yoon will be settled." He interpreted Lee’s words as "Yoon’s approval ratings are falling, so he will soon be settled," and pressured Lee by saying, "The solution is to release the entire recording. Then, one can fully grasp the flow, context, tone, and emotions contained in the conversation."

After the press conference, Lee dismissed Won’s claims by leaving just five words on social media: "Just pitiful." A representative from Lee’s side indicated, "Won demanded the release of the recording, so it was released, but what more is there to do?" suggesting there would be no further response such as releasing additional recordings.

Meanwhile, other presidential candidates are also getting involved in the fight between Lee Jun-seok and Won Hee-ryong, intensifying the internal strife. Representative Ha held a press conference that day, saying, "What is the intention of a presidential candidate who exaggerates and distorts private conversations and reveals them belatedly to stir up discord within the party?" He urged, "Stop shaking the party with such disruptive behavior, immediately withdraw from the presidential preliminary race, and reflect on your actions." Kim Woong, a spokesperson for former Representative Yoo Seung-min, another presidential candidate, also criticized in a radio interview, "Anyone who understands Korean would see that the conflict with former Prosecutor General Yoon will soon be settled," and added, "Won must clearly state his position, as what he did was akin to devil’s editing of Lee’s words."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regardless of how this controversy ends, the responsibility for the series of disturbances still poses a risk of damaging Lee’s leadership. Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party and known mentor to Lee, advised in a radio interview the day before, "Lee should not pay too much attention to trivial matters," and "He should not be concerned about what the candidates are doing."

Meanwhile, former Prosecutor General Yoon, the central figure in the controversy, appears to be distancing himself. After paying respects at the grave site on the anniversary of the late former President Kim Dae-jung, he told reporters, "It is inappropriate to discuss political matters in a place of remembrance." Woo Seung-bong, head of the public relations team, also stated, "There is no plan to respond at all."

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