Ongoing Discord in the Opposition... Lee Jun-seok VS Kim Yong-nam 'Core Member' Heated Debate

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is leaving a hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, after having a lunch meeting with Kim Jong-in, the general election committee chairman, on the 22nd. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] The People Power Party's election campaign committee is struggling to find a way out amid presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol's gaffes, family-related allegations, and internal disputes within the party. In particular, former lawmaker Kim Yong-nam, who serves as the standing public relations special advisor in the campaign committee, is even showing signs of an emotional clash with party leader Lee Jun-seok.

On the morning of the 24th, former lawmaker Kim appeared on MBC Radio and stated, "If anyone should apologize, it is Leader Lee, who has disappointed party members and supporters with irresponsible and frivolous behavior and is pouring cold water on the current desire for regime change. He should make a public apology." This was in response to Lee's demand that Kim make a 'public apology' in the manner Lee desired by that morning.

The verbal dispute between former lawmaker Kim and Leader Lee began the day before. Lee criticized the 'Yun Hae-gwan' (key figures in Yoon Seok-yeol's camp) and resigned from all positions in the campaign committee, to which Kim responded by bringing up the 'Lee Hae-gwan' (key figures in Lee Jun-seok's camp). Kim explained that it was meant to indicate that everyone has close associates but insisted that the Lee Hae-gwan disclose the amount of money they spent under the pretext of activity expenses and allowances. In response, Lee countered by saying, "The political affairs office chief has no salary," and "Usually, there are three or four special advisors to the party leader, but I only appointed one," even mentioning filing a complaint with the party's ethics committee. Through Facebook that day, Lee criticized, "I won't go far. Explain it at the ethics committee," and called Kim's actions "internal sabotage."

Former Assemblyman Kim Yong-nam (Photo by Yonhap News)

Former lawmaker Kim did not remain silent either and responded on Facebook that day, "Using the position of party leader to refuse any criticism of oneself and threatening with the ethics committee (should I be scared at this point?) is a typical abuse of power," and added, "If only half of that energy spent on internal party matters were directed toward criticizing the Democratic Party's mismanagement and the serious problems of presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung and fighting passionately." Furthermore, he referred to Leader Lee as a 'Banggu-seok Yeopo.' Banggu-seok Yeopo is a term used online to describe someone who is aggressive online but not in real life.

Within the campaign committee, voices urging restraint are growing regarding this situation. With many issues to resolve, such as the sentencing of candidate Yoon's mother-in-law to prison and the gaffe about 'inevitably choosing the People Power Party,' the added disputes among officials are increasing fatigue. A campaign committee official said, "At a time when the focus should be on candidate Yoon, various officials centered around the party leader keep causing discord, and if this continues, it will remain noise to the public," adding, "Since the Democratic Party emphasizes 'One Team,' the contrast is stark, and even internally, people say it 'makes them frown.'"

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