Jin Joong-kwon on Lee Jun-seok's refusal to disclose 'recording': "Is this behavior befitting a leader?"

Former Dongyang University Professor Jin Joong-kwon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong's demand to disclose the transcript containing the so-called 'Yoon Seok-yeol presidential candidate sorting' remarks was met with refusal by Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, prompting former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon to praise Lee's response as "behavior befitting a leader."

On the 18th, Professor Jin posted on his Facebook, saying, "Losing is winning. True victory is not about overpowering the opponent but making even that opponent your ally."

On the same day, Professor Jin also mentioned Governor Won, who pressured the disclosure of the transcript, in an additional post.

Earlier, Governor Won posted on his Facebook, expressing regret toward Lee for not releasing the original phone recording file, stating, "I am very disappointed but consider this as an implicit admission of his mistake," and urged, "I hope this serves as an opportunity to never repeat such mistakes. I hope he promises and practices a fair primary."

Regarding this, Professor Jin said, "Since he is in the leader's position, it is not a situation where he can disclose it, so it doesn't seem right to push him like that. Know when to stop and let it be."

The transcript controversy within the People Power Party began when former Governor Won claimed at the party's Supreme Council meeting on the 17th that "Lee told me, 'Candidate Yoon will be sorted out soon.'" That same night, Lee released part of the transcript, but Governor Won held a press conference the next day, stating, "(Lee) is cleverly twisting and distorting the nuance by releasing only parts of an AI-generated transcript that is not even accurate," and demanded, "Lee must disclose the entire recording file of our phone conversation by 6 p.m. today."

Lee, who did not comply with the demand, said on his Facebook immediately after Governor Won's press conference, "It's just pitiful."

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