Young and Independent Lawmakers in the Party Also Criticize Lee Jun-seok: "He Won't Last Long"

Lee Jun-seok Criticizes President Yoon Seok-yeol Daily Since Press Conference on the 13th
In Response, Jang Ye-chan, Chairman of the Youth Foundation, Holds Press Conference Urging 'Self-Restraint'

Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok has been launching direct attacks on President Yoon Seok-yeol day after day since his press conference on the 13th, as well as engaging in verbal battles with young party members, conducting an 'off-site war.' Within the party, there are forecasts that Lee's current stance will be difficult to sustain for long.

Lee and Jang Ye-chan, chairman of the Youth Foundation, have been engaged in a war of nerves since the day before, the 18th. On the 18th, Jang held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, stating, "The People Power Party is not composed solely of former leader Lee and pro-Lee young members," and pointed out, "For the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol government and party reform, Lee must first reflect and show responsible political leadership before blaming others." Jang is a 'pro-Yoon' figure, having served as head of the youth division of Yoon's presidential campaign and as head of the Youth Communication Task Force (TF) of the Presidential Transition Committee.

Jang posted the content of the press conference on Facebook, and Lee actively attacked by commenting, "Well, Ye-chan, if that helps you live better, I will support you." In response, Jang retorted, "Both I and Mayor Oh Se-hoon (Seoul) and Mayor Hong Joon-pyo (Daegu) have spoken with the hope that you do better, so it would be good to think about it once."

Additionally, Kim Yong-tae, a former Supreme Council member classified as 'pro-Lee Jun-seok,' joined the fray by criticizing Jang. Kim pointed out, "It is regrettable that you dismiss the voices of many young party members who speak out to protect democracy as merely doing so for the party leader, reflecting a petty and shabby perspective."

Jang Ye-chan, chairman of the Youth Foundation who served as the head of the Youth Headquarters for Yoon Seok-yeol's campaign during the last presidential election and as the head of the Youth Communication Task Force at the transition team, is issuing a critical statement on June 18 at the National Assembly Communication Office regarding the recent actions of Lee Jun-seok, former leader of the People Power Party. (Photo by Yonhap News)

In response, Jang launched a counterattack on the 19th. Through Facebook that morning, Jang said, "The 'Yeouido 2 o'clock youth' are a group of young politicians who have never experienced social life outside politics and have never earned money or paid taxes through other work. Except for those whose main profession is a lawyer, the youth on Lee's side are the 'Yeouido 2 o'clock youth' themselves," adding, "Have spokespersons like Na Guk-dae, whom no one has even heard of, and former Supreme Council member Kim, who declared assets worth 2 billion won in just two years and can do politics without worrying about money, ever experienced the employment and independence issues ordinary young people face?"

Within the party, there is a view that Lee's off-site war will struggle to maintain sustained interest. A senior People Power Party lawmaker said, "It's only been about a week since the press conference on the 13th, so interest is still alive, but if the same pattern of criticizing President Yoon and retaliating against criticisms directed at himself continues, the public will grow weary." A first-term lawmaker also said, "Because people's livelihoods are difficult, everyone is likely to focus more on making a living than political issues," adding, "Only some supporters of Lee will continue to back him."

Meanwhile, even an independent lawmaker has called on Lee to 'exercise restraint.' Independent lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja said the day before, "While the party leader can accompany the presidential candidate to the top, once the top is reached, it is right to quietly step back behind the president," emphasizing, "It is not too late yet. For the future of the Republic of Korea, it would be good to quietly step back and wait for the right time. Lee Jun-seok still has plenty of time and opportunities. Even if 'putting the party before oneself' is not possible, can't he at least 'put the country before oneself'?"

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