Lee Jun-seok "Isn't the party doing well after the change of party leader despite internal criticism"

Criticism of Interpretation 'Party Leader Cannot Return After Transition to Emergency Committee'
Ha Tae-gyeong and Jo Hae-jin Also Say "Difficult to Agree"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, expressed discomfort after interpretations emerged that his return as party leader would be impossible if the party's emergency committee is launched. Some party members also voiced disagreement with this interpretation.

On the 3rd, Lee posted on his Facebook, “Even though it’s not an emergency, I have spent the past three weeks traveling around regions meeting party members, but during that time, some groups were badmouthing me, and when text messages were caught on camera and approval ratings dropped, the solution they came up with was to block Lee Jun-seok’s return.” The solution Lee referred to is the transition to an emergency committee system.

On the same day, within the party, there was an interpretation that Lee would not be able to return as party leader if the emergency committee is launched. Since the previous leadership would be dissolved, it would be difficult for Lee to return even after the six-month suspension period of party membership. Seo Byung-soo, chairman of the People Power Party’s National Committee, said at a National Assembly press conference, “With the emergency committee chairperson gaining the authority of the party leader, the previous leadership is automatically dissolved, and Lee’s authority as party leader is also lost,” adding, “As soon as the emergency committee is formed, the chairperson gains the party leader’s authority, so Lee is automatically dismissed.”

Lee said, “Our party is not in an emergency, officially,” and criticized the party situation by comparing it to text messages exchanged between President Yoon Seok-yeol and People Power Party acting leader and floor leader Kwon Seong-dong, saying, “The party changed a lot after the party leader who was internally criticizing others was replaced, and isn’t it a party that’s doing well? We should keep doing this.”

He also criticized again the participation in the supreme council vote of Bae Hyun-jin and Yoon Young-seok, who had expressed their intention to resign, saying, “After that decision, they changed the party constitution and regulations to realize it somehow, declared an emergency even though it wasn’t one, and the resigned supreme council members came back to vote.”

Within the party, there were also voices opposing Seo’s interpretation. Ha Tae-kyung said on Facebook that day, “Seo’s interpretation of the party constitution and regulations that Lee’s return is impossible if the emergency committee is launched is incorrect,” and argued, “When amending the party constitution and regulations, a clause can be created to allow Lee to return after five months.”

Jo Hae-jin also said at a meeting with reporters before the party innovation committee meeting, “I do not agree. There is no party constitution or regulation that states automatic dismissal, the party leader’s status remains, and he can return on January 9 next year depending on his intention to return. I don’t know on what basis it is said that he automatically disappears,” adding, “If such a situation occurs, it is a serious problem for the party’s system. That is why a party convention should not be held.” Accordingly, controversy over Seo’s interpretation is expected to continue.

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