"Engaged in the Act"... Senior and Re-elected Opposition Lawmakers Pressure 'Lee Jun-seok to Resign'

Jin Jeong-seok "Lee Jun-seok, Unreasonable" Kwon Seong-dong "Inciting Party Discord" Criticism
Lee "Be Careful with Words... Raise Officially" Rejects Resignation

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] As the People Power Party's election committee (선대위) is set for a complete overhaul, internal pressure for Representative Lee Jun-seok to resign is intensifying. Second-term lawmakers and senior lawmakers with three or more terms held consecutive meetings on the 4th, raising the issue of Lee's responsibility amid the party's crisis.

In particular, strong dissatisfaction toward Representative Lee was expressed at the senior lawmakers' meeting. Attendees included Lawmakers Kim Ki-hyun, Kim Tae-heum, Kwon Young-se, Park Dae-chul, Park Jin, Joo Ho-young, and Ha Tae-kyung. The senior lawmakers agreed that Lee's recent behavior was unreasonable.

After the meeting, Deputy Speaker Jung told reporters, "The senior lawmakers agreed that Lee's recent trajectory was not reasonable," and added, "We plan to meet directly with Lee soon to have an open and sincere conversation to find a way to resolve the situation."

He continued, "We reaffirmed the conclusion from the party meeting that we must unite around the candidate and respect the candidate's opinions on reforming the party and the election committee," adding, "This is a difficult phase in many ways. The party leader will also deeply feel the responsibility."

Lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong strongly criticized Lee, saying he "committed the relevant acts." He stated, "The party leader's primary duty is to lead the regime change, but judging from Lee's statements so far, he has incited party discord and committed the relevant acts," and added, "The senior lawmakers said they need to meet Lee to address this issue." Senior lawmakers and Lee plan to hold a joint meeting at the National Assembly on the 5th to hear Lee's position on his future.

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

The responsibility of Representative Lee was also raised at the second-term lawmakers' meeting. Lawmaker Kim Jeong-jae explained after the meeting, "We apologized to the public for the division and conflict, and resolved to refrain from making statements that could negatively affect regime change or constitute the relevant acts, regardless of rank or status."

When asked, 'Did calls for Lee's resignation also arise?' he replied indirectly, "You probably know that such discussions were frequent at the previous day’s party meeting."

The second-term lawmakers have requested to convene a party meeting on the 5th to discuss the party's crisis and Lee's future.

Representative Lee expressed displeasure at the resignation pressure directed at him and made it clear that he has no intention of stepping down.

Meeting reporters in front of the party leader's office that day, Lee responded to criticisms calling his actions "relevant acts" and "abnormal" by saying, "I don't know if those are official meeting opinions or personal views, but such remarks are made too easily. It's not that I don't speak because I can't; I hope people will be more careful." Regarding resignation, he said, "If an official conclusion is reached and formally raised to me, I will respond."

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