Three Collisions in a Week... Why Are Lee Jun-seok and Bae Hyun-jin Fighting?

Heated Debates Continue at Top-Level Meetings... Explosion Over Private Meeting on the 20th
"Both Are Self-Serving Politics... An Extension of Party Leadership and Nomination Conflicts," Analysis
"Internal Conflicts Are Always Present, but Parliament Must Do Its Job and Fight"

People Power Party floor leader Kwon Seong-dong and Supreme Council member Bae Hyun-jin are arguing with People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok over the issue of discussing current affairs in a closed meeting at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, and Bae Hyun-jin, Supreme Council member, clashed again on the 20th. Recently, Lee and Bae have been at odds over various issues, including the direction of the party's Innovation Committee operations and the appointment of Supreme Council members.

Their conflict escalated during a debate over whether to disclose a closed meeting, exposing emotionally charged remarks. Critics say that urgent livelihood issues are being neglected as they focus solely on political strife.

The conflict began when Lee declared at the Supreme Council meeting that no current issues would be discussed during closed meetings. Lee said, "I have no special opening remarks. By the authority of the Supreme Council chair, from today onward, no current issues will be discussed in closed meetings."

This was aimed at recent reports of Bae's remarks made during closed Supreme Council meetings. On the 13th, Bae criticized Lee's Innovation Committee, led by Lee, as potentially being misunderstood as a petty private organization. On the 16th, when Lee clashed with Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo over the appointment of Supreme Council members allocated to the People’s Party following the merger, Bae criticized Lee, saying it could appear petty.

After Bae’s criticism of the Innovation Committee, Lee showed clear discomfort by avoiding eye contact and only extending his hand when Bae offered a handshake or patted his shoulder before meetings on the 16th and 20th.

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, is leaving the meeting room after having a dispute with Supreme Council member Bae Hyun-jin over the issue of discussing current affairs in a closed meeting during the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

When Lee declared that no current issues would be discussed in closed meetings, Bae immediately opposed. At the end of his opening remarks, he suggested, "It’s not that current issues shouldn’t be discussed, but that closed meetings should be more strictly regulated so that necessary internal party discussions can continue healthily."

However, Lee stood firm, saying, "Closed meetings will not be held," leading to a public argument when Bae protested, "Haven’t I repeatedly suggested better regulation of meetings?" Lee retorted, "Get the floor and speak," and "Even if we hold closed meetings, won’t the remarks be leaked anyway?" Bae responded, "Haven’t you leaked a lot yourself? Even you."

Bae shot back, "You, as chair, have failed to regulate properly, and even when you spoke outside, a journalist wrote about it?whose excuse is that?" Lee replied, "Shall we try regulating it once?" escalating the emotional exchange. Eventually, Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong said, "This looks bad," and switched the meeting to closed session. However, Lee left the meeting room three minutes after the closed session began.

Analysts interpret the conflict between Lee and Bae as a power struggle over party leadership and candidate nominations for the general election. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "Lee is criticized for pursuing his own politics, but Bae also seems intent on highlighting her presence. This is an extension of the power struggle over party leadership and nomination rights."

The ongoing 'family feud' is causing fatigue even within the party leadership. Previously, a conflict arose between Lee and Assemblyman Jeong Jin-seok over the launch of 'Mindeulle,' a group known as pro-Yoon Seok-yeol faction, sparking internal turmoil. Supreme Council member Jo Su-jin criticized after the Supreme Council meeting, saying, "How can the ruling party be led like this? It’s not like we have time to waste holding meetings."

After the party’s current issues review meeting on the 21st, Floor Leader Kwon expressed regret, saying, "It is regrettable to the public that such arguments occurred among the top leadership while the people are watching," and urged both Lee and Bae to refrain from quarrels.

The commentator added, "With the economy struggling and security unstable, the country’s issues should be discussed, but factional disputes are taking center stage. Internal disagreements are natural, but the National Assembly must do its work and then fight."

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