Lee Jun-seok's 'Anti-Yoon Faction Criticism'... Reasons Behind His Determined Attack Ahead of the Ethics Committee?

In Official Settings, Silent; In Media Interviews, Direct Attack on Pro-Yoon Faction
Lee: "Clear That Yoon Core Group Is Behind the Attacks... No Intention to Compromise"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, attends a high-level party-government consultation meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 6th, wearing a serious expression. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yunjin] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, who had maintained silence for a while, has launched an attack on the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction ahead of the party ethics committee's disciplinary action related to allegations of sexual bribery. While blocking the party conflict from spreading into a rift with President Yoon Seok-yeol, Lee defined the background of attacks against him as coming from the so-called Yoonhakkwan (core associates of President Yoon).

Since the end of last month, Lee has reduced his public schedule and restrained his social media activities more than before. Since skipping public remarks at the party's Supreme Council meeting on the 27th of last month, he has continued a "silent protest" at official events, except for remarks at the high-level party-government council on the 6th.

However, through media interviews, he has continuously expressed discomfort toward the pro-Yoon faction. On the 5th, appearing on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus," Lee said, "After the ethics committee disciplinary process began, attacks on the Innovation Committee and on my visit to Ukraine have come in. Isn't it clear that these come from the so-called Yoonhakkwan faction, regardless of the ethics committee?" In an interview with JoongAng Ilbo the previous day, he also said, "How can I make any compromise with people who draw their swords and charge at me?" positioning himself as a 'victim' of political strife.

While sharpening his stance against the pro-Yoon faction, Lee is also making efforts to court Yoon's favor. In the MBC Radio interview on the 5th, he said, "There is no sign that the president has intervened in party affairs," and "I do not know why those called Yoonhakkwan are acting this way (attacking me)," drawing a line against interpretations linking the party conflict to President Yoon.

Inside and outside the political circle, various evaluations are emerging about Lee, who is at the center of the party conflict. Yang Seungham, emeritus professor of political science and diplomacy at Yonsei University, said, "The leader's role is to unify the party, but it is wrong to incite conflict to maintain one's own power."

Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, said on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" on the 6th, "It is true that Lee, who took office as leader at a young age, has shown unfamiliar behavior, but it is regrettable that the party did not protect each other and lead things in a good direction." He added, "The ruling party must quickly switch to a function that assists the Yoon administration in implementing normal policies to have value as the ruling party," urging a swift resolution of the conflict.

The People Power Party Ethics Committee will begin disciplinary deliberations on Lee at 7 p.m. on the 7th. There is a tense atmosphere inside and outside the party as attention focuses on the outcome. Lee is expected to attend the meeting in person to explain the allegations of "sexual bribery and evidence destruction inducement."

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