Lee Jun-seok "If Kim Jong-in is not possible, another general manager must be appointed... Unexpected situation"

"Election is conducted under the candidate's unlimited responsibility"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 25th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, pointed out the conflict between candidate Yoon Seok-yeol and former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in over the formation of the election campaign committee, saying, "I think some people on the candidate's side made remarks that provoked former Chairman Kim quite a bit."

Lee appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' on the same day and said, "Watching the communication process in the middle, I often thought, 'This could lead to misunderstandings.'"

Regarding the launch of the campaign committee without former Chairman Kim, he said, "I did not really expect such a scenario, nor did I prepare for the election keeping this in mind," adding, "In any case, all election proceedings, including the formation of the campaign committee, are conducted under the candidate's unlimited responsibility, so I respect the candidate's choice. As the party leader, I will ensure that election preparations proceed without disruption."

Lee also said, "I conveyed my opinion to the (Yoon) candidate, saying, 'If it is a situation where we cannot have former Chairman Kim, it would be fine to appoint another person, including Chairman Kim Byung-joon, as the general campaign committee chairman. However, the hierarchy should be clearly established now.'"

He added, "Although it is an entirely unexpected situation, if we have to form the campaign committee without former Chairman Kim, I think we could appoint another general campaign committee chairman."

Furthermore, Lee suggested the possibility that he and Kim Byung-joon, who is the joint standing campaign committee chairman, might lead the campaign committee. He said, "I need to discuss with the candidate immediately, but if the campaign committee launches without a general campaign committee chairman as it is, wouldn't Kim Byung-joon and I effectively become joint standing campaign committee chairmen?" He added, "In that case, I will create a significant area of responsibility for Chairman Kim Byung-joon and allow him to exercise leadership."

Meanwhile, regarding candidate Yoon referring to former Chairman Kim as "that gentleman" in front of reporters, Lee said, "I think the candidate said that in a highly agitated state," but also noted, "It was actually a somewhat inappropriate expression."

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