Lee Jun-seok: "Yoon's 'Jeon Du-hwan Defense Remarks' Show Political Immaturity... Immediate Action Needed"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, and Yoon Seok-yeol, former Prosecutor General (from left). / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, demanded prompt action regarding the controversy over former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's 'remarks defending Jeon Du-hwan,' a presidential candidate within the party.

Earlier, on the 19th, former Prosecutor General Yoon visited the People Power Party's Busan Haeundae-gap party office and said, "Although President Jeon Du-hwan made mistakes, many say that except for the military coup and the May 18 incident, his politics were good. Quite a few people in Honam also say that."

In response, on the morning of the 20th, Lee met with reporters at the National Assembly and, when pointed out that "former Prosecutor General Yoon has not yet expressed regret over the remarks," he replied, "I think he is hesitant to apologize because he believes his true intention was not properly conveyed."

He added, "In a situation where he has to continue political activities, it is a part that can be sufficiently criticized that his political language was immature."

He continued, "Since former Prosecutor General Yoon was a candidate who gained considerable favor in the Honam region through a mock trial during his university days that sentenced former President Jeon to life imprisonment, it would have been better to respond sensitively to such an issue," and added, "I hope prompt measures are taken so that this matter does not escalate further."

He also said, "Since the Kim Jong-in emergency committee system, efforts toward the Honam region have continued, and after I became the leader, I have inherited that line," and "I hope all our presidential candidates approach the election with the same mindset."

Regarding the May 18 Democratization Movement organizations' demand for an apology and prevention of recurrence from the People Power Party, he said, "Since the Kim committee system, the party has never expressed a different opinion," and emphasized, "It is difficult to issue a party stance based on individual candidates' personal opinions, but as party leader, it is possible to reaffirm that our position remains unchanged."

Meanwhile, concerning the Democratic Party's statement that it will file a complaint with the National Assembly Ethics Committee against People Power Party lawmakers Kim Woong and Jeong Jeom-sik over the 'accusation inducement' suspicion involving former Prosecutor General Yoon, he said, "Rashly bringing this to the Ethics Committee is a very political act," but added, "If the two lawmakers have responsibilities, we will not shield them."

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