Intra-party Conflict: Lee Jun-seok Expresses Feelings... "I Prepared the Primary Election Bus, but the Steering Wheel Was Taken Away"

"Which Candidate Benefits or Disadvantages from the Debate?"
"If Even Assemblyman Seo Byung-su Can't Do It, What Kind of Person Can Avoid the Unfair Frame?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, expressed discomfort on the 21st regarding the internal conflicts that arose during the presidential primary process.

On that day, Lee appeared on MBC radio and said, "It feels like we parked the primary bus and waited for it to depart at the end of August, but suddenly people pulled out the steering wheel, scribbled graffiti with paint outside, and broke all the chairs." He added, "I sat down, but the steering wheel was gone."

This appears to reflect his feelings about the backlash from candidates regarding the debate schedule prepared by the party's primary preparation committee, as well as criticism directed at him by former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong and others who disclosed private phone conversations.

Regarding the debate, which was the starting point of the controversy, Lee stated that he was not involved. He said, "I understand that lawmakers like Park Jin and others who have not yet had a chance to gain attention requested to create an opportunity to be noticed at an earlier time." He pointed out, "If this is turned into an issue of advantage or disadvantage for a specific candidate, it is an attempt to frame it as an unfair primary."

Lee said, "Does holding a debate or a vision presentation suddenly make any candidate advantaged or disadvantaged? I really hear all sorts of stories while sitting on the bus." He also said, "Having one or two debates doesn't have much significance."

Lee also strongly denied the unfair primary frame.

He said, "Is Assemblyman Seo Byung-soo, who is in charge of the primary preparation committee, part of the Yoo Seung-min faction? On the contrary, I appointed Seo, who has a very strong pro-Park (Geun-hye) color, as the committee chair because I was conscious of the Yoo Seung-min faction controversy. If you put an unfair frame on that, then who should I appoint to mechanically avoid the unfair frame?"

Lee added, "I think I should live with a feeling of apology toward Chairman Seo. I can't believe this was done by trampling on a five-term lawmaker."

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