Ruling Party Criticizes Sujeong Lee's "Son in His 30s" Remark, Accusing Her of Treating Lee Junseok Like a Child

Criticism Arises Over People Power Party's Recruitment of an "Old-Fashioned Figure"
Controversy Grows as Sujeong Lee's Comments Toward Lee Junseok Are Seen as Patronizing

Professor Sujeong Lee of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University, who serves as the co-chair of the People Power Party's joint election countermeasures committee. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy, reporter Kang Juhee] The ruling party is launching attacks targeting Professor Sujeong Lee of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University, who was appointed as the co-chair of the People Power Party's joint election countermeasures committee. The controversy stems from Professor Lee's comment regarding Lee Junseok, leader of the People Power Party, who had openly opposed her recruitment. She stated, "I also have a son in his 30s, so I can somewhat understand their perspective." The ruling party criticized this, saying, "She is treating Lee Junseok like a child."

Choi Minhee, former lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea, wrote on Facebook on the 1st, "Sujeong Lee, who is helping the People Power Party, has some serious groundless confidence," and added, "What is this sense of treating Lee Junseok like a son?" She continued sarcastically, "If I don't even know myself, how could I possibly know my son? And even control him? Wow."

Jang Kyungtae, a Democratic Party lawmaker, also posted a statement the previous day titled "Recruited Talent? Recruited Old-Fashioned! Professor Sujeong Lee's Discrimination Against Youth, Generations, and Age," pointing out, "Lee Junseok is the leader of a major political party. If you dismiss him just because he is young and then say, 'I'll meet and talk with him,' no one will find that pleasant."

Kim Jinae, former lawmaker of the Open Democratic Party, also targeted Professor Lee, saying, "I am offended by the actions that treat a party leader in his 30s as an underling. Assigning Lee Junseok as the head of media and public relations, and now even Sujeong Lee referring to him as a 'son in his 30s'... I wonder what things were usually like?"

Lee Junseok, leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, on November 30, Professor Lee appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and, regarding Lee Junseok's opposition to her recruitment, said, "I also have a son in his 30s. I have closely watched the process those in that age group have gone through to grow up," adding, "Recently, it is understandable that men in their 20s and 30s feel that competition is not fair." While Professor Lee expressed her willingness to talk with Lee Junseok, some have pointed out that she may be treating him like a child, as if he were her own son.

In response, on December 1, Professor Lee explained on YTN Radio's 'Hwang Boseon's Morning Start,' "I mentioned my son and was even called old-fashioned for it, but what I meant was that I have observed young men closely and am not unaware of the kinds of anxiety or sense of deprivation they feel."

She continued, "I thought it was perfectly reasonable for Lee Junseok to oppose my recruitment. However, he never clearly communicated his intentions to me," adding, "So I thought I could resolve things once I joined, and even now, I believe that when Lee Junseok returns, we can talk and narrow the gap."

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