[Column] The Ruling Party Leader Who Said 'I Speak My Mind' and His 'Private Conversation'

Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Leader of the People Power Party, is adjusting his glasses after finishing his speech at the party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Telegram messages exchanged between President Yoon Seok-yeol and Kwon Seong-dong, acting leader of the People Power Party and floor leader, have sparked controversy. This is because the messages contained expressions that contradicted their previous statements.

President Yoon sent a message the day before saying, "Our party is doing well too, we should keep it up like this. The party leader who used to engage in internal backbiting has changed, and things have improved." Acting leader Kwon replied, "We will faithfully carry out the President's will and show a united front between the party and the government." President Yoon responded with a cherry character emoticon giving a thumbs-up, expressing his approval of Kwon's positive message.

On the 26th, during the government questioning session at the National Assembly plenary meeting, Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, was texting with a person presumed to be President Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

At a press conference marking 100 days since his appointment as floor leader, Acting Leader Kwon said, "As floor leader, I have openly spoken frankly to President Yoon and frequently communicated with him directly," adding, "I will strive to maintain a healthy tension in our relationship." Upon his appointment, he also promised not to shy away from frank advice and criticism. However, with the leak of these messages, contrary to his statement about speaking his mind, it appears he has publicly declared his loyalty to the President. Some even suspect that Kwon sent the message to flaunt his closeness with President Yoon.

President Yoon's statement about not interfering in party affairs has also been undermined. He had drawn a clear line against presidential involvement in party matters, deeming it inappropriate, yet it was confirmed that he characterized the previous actions of Representative Lee as internal backbiting.

The party's response has been equally disappointing, dismissing the matter as a private conversation. Regardless of it being a private exchange, given that messages between the President and the acting party leader have been made public, a proactive explanation seems necessary. Were the conversations between Assemblyman Jang Je-won and Acting Leader Kwon during the hiring process for a Grade 9 presidential office official a private matter or conducted in an official capacity? This question is especially pertinent since these two hold positions with significant authority.

According to psychologists, people tend to become more confident in their opinions when discussing them with others who share similar backgrounds such as academic ties, blood relations, or regional connections, rather than with those who differ greatly. This can lead to mistaking agreeable conversations for "correct" ones. President Yoon and Acting Leader Kwon are both prosecutors and the same age. They should reflect on whether their calls for "party and government unity" stem from confirmation bias.

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