[Interview] Lee Jun-seok "Yoon, Being Bound by Loyalty May Lead to Painful Consequences"

Learn from Last Year's General Election Mistakes
Need to Strategize to Increase Election Chances
Kim Jong-in, an Experienced Commander
Volunteers as Logistics Officer for This Election
Must Improve Communication with Public and Media
Need More Effort to Gain 2030 Support

Lee Jun-seok, Leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Geum Bo-ryeong] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, has called for an "upgrade" of presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol. This includes a comprehensive overhaul of the campaign staff, clearing the surroundings, and changing communication methods. In other words, it can be interpreted as a call to "completely change from the current state."

In an interview with this publication on the 8th, Lee expressed his hope that Yoon would not be trapped by personal "loyalty." He said, "We must learn from major failures." Lee cited the example of former United Future Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, who loyally stood by his people just before last year's general election, only to lose 180 seats afterward. He warned that being bound by loyalty and sentiment without properly appointing capable people could lead to a painful defeat. He also advised Yoon's primary campaign team to "act while considering what will increase the candidate's chances of winning."

Lee also reaffirmed that the future presidential campaign organization should be centered around former People Power Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in. Under Kim’s campaign committee system, Lee himself could take on roles such as election support.

He asserted, "What Yoon needs most right now is a commander with extensive election experience and someone who can handle all internal matters so that the candidate can freely pursue his intentions during the election?essentially, a logistics officer who manages the supply and maintenance of necessary resources."

He added, "If we talk about the best existing commander, I thought it was Kim Jong-in. I believe the party system that Kim Ki-hyun, the floor leader of the People Power Party, and I have coordinated for nearly six months can sufficiently handle the logistics of this presidential election."

Lee also diagnosed that the communication style must change. He said, "Yoon has sometimes been misunderstood regarding his views on the media. People who are not even part of the campaign appeared and said things like 'Don't answer because they are leftists,' which caused misunderstandings to accumulate. These issues now need to be resolved." However, he cautioned, "Yoon should openly acknowledge and actively correct any technical shortcomings, but his willingness to communicate must not be broken. If the commitment to communicate with the public and the media is lost, that would be a bigger problem."

Lee Jun-seok, Leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Analyzing the background of the 2030 generation’s support for lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo, Lee said, "Many people cannot explain what triggered Hong’s support from the 2030 generation, but one thing is certain: Hong moved very swiftly when the possibility of support appeared." He advised, "Yoon should also move quickly when such opportunities arise." However, he expressed a negative view on the possibility of the 2030 generation turning to support the Democratic Party. Lee said, "This generation became interested in politics because they disliked the Democratic Party from the start," and warned, "I hope we do not cause further harm to the younger generation with premature expectations."

The day after Yoon was nominated as the presidential candidate, Lee met with him and delivered an election response plan known as the "silk pouch." Regarding the contents, Lee said, "It’s an election strategy, so revealing it now would be meaningless, but preparing it requires a lot from the candidate." He introduced, "It will take about two weeks for the candidate to prepare everything according to the silk pouch." Considering the general expectation that former chairman Kim Jong-in will take the role of overall campaign committee chairman around the 20th, the silk pouch likely relates to the formation of the campaign committee.

Meanwhile, regarding his own possible candidacy in the Jongno by-election, Lee said, "I do not undervalue the significance of challenging for a parliamentary seat, but now is the time to find ways to enhance the candidate’s competitiveness," showing no strong intention to run actively.

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