Lee Jun-seok: "Those mocking 2030 in the conservative camp are unreasonable... Did they even gather 10 people?"

"2030 Rush of Opposition Party Defections, Must Be Humbly Recognized for a Proper Political Party"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate (right), and Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, are talking during the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 8th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, criticized party insiders who made various remarks targeting the 2030 generation, which has continued to leave the party after the presidential candidate selection convention, calling them "insensible."

On the 9th, in response to the question from the YTN radio program 'Hwang Boseon's Start of a New Morning,' "Is the 2030 exodus, the rush of resignations, true?" Lee said, "There are cases where disappointed people leave the party after the primary election."

He pointed out, "Some insensible conservatives made derogatory remarks such as 'those who made the wrong choice from the start' and 'the 2030 generation is only a handful,'" adding, "I want to ask if those people have ever gathered even ten 2030 members."

He continued, "In the 2012 presidential election, victory was sought through a regional division structure, but now it is naturally advantageous to hold elections based on generational lines," and expressed regret, saying, "When such insensible remarks come out, the intensity of voting, willingness, and support strength of the younger generation toward our candidate can significantly decrease."

Lee also criticized Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member, who said, "Only 40 people in their 2030s have left the party." He rebutted, "Forty is the number that would leave naturally even if we do nothing," and pointed out, "On one hand, they are criticized by the younger generation, and on the other hand, they provoke media interest." He added, "Kim is trying to cover up the situation as a natural resignation level, and I believe there was some intention behind it."

Regarding the scale of resignations, he mentioned, "About 1,800 people have left based on statistics from the metropolitan area." When the host asked, "I am curious about the nationwide number of 2030 resignations," he refrained from answering, saying, "The party leader is not trying to harm himself, so I can't confirm that."

He emphasized, "If candidate Yoon communicates more humbly with the younger generation, there will be good results," adding, "However, if those around him make provocative or mocking remarks, these people may weaken their will to vote or become part of the non-affiliated group."

Earlier, Lee disclosed the resignation status of the 2030 generation on his Facebook. According to the 'Resignation Application Status After the Party Convention' he released on the 8th, as of that day, 527 people in their 2030s had left the party, accounting for about 84% of all resignations.

He stressed, "This is accurate statistical data, and a proper party should humbly recognize this figure. It is beyond common sense to mock the young generation by saying only about 40 people have left during a political change opportunity that comes once in decades," and added, "Additional resignations caused by mockery must be stopped."

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