Seo Byung-su Steps Down... Lee Jun-seok "Sorry and Heartbroken" (Comprehensive)

Seo Byung-su, Chairman of the People Power Party National Committee, is attending the virtual members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Geum Bo-ryeong] Seo Byeong-su, chairman of the People Power Party's National Committee, who had expressed his intention not to respond to the convening of the Standing National Committee to establish a new emergency response committee, announced on the 31st that he would step down from his position as chairman. Former leader Lee Jun-seok said, "I am sorry and heartbroken."

Seo held a press conference at the National Assembly on the same day and stated, "As of this moment, I am stepping down from the position of chairman of the National Committee." He added, "Stepping down as chairman of the National Committee means stepping down as chairman of the Standing National Committee and also the party convention chairman."

Seo said, "In fact, I was waiting for contact from our leadership and waiting for the request to convene the National Committee to be sent to me, but I have not received any contact yet," adding, "I decided to resign because I thought I should not be too much of an obstacle to the path the party leadership, not the party itself, is taking while maintaining my principles and philosophy."

He had opposed the emergency response committee system and argued that the party should transition to a Supreme Council and acting leadership system. He also proposed to former emergency response committee chairman Joo Ho-young that he act as the floor leader. Seo explained, "Since he already has experience as floor leader and was endorsed by us as emergency response committee chairman, I thought if he became floor leader, we could smoothly get through the transitional period."

He criticized the amendment of party rules for the transition to the emergency response committee as 'artificial.' Seo said, "Former leader Lee already filed injunctions against the emergency response committee itself and each member of the emergency response committee, didn't he? I thought the conclusion would be the same as the injunction approval for the emergency response committee chairman," adding, "As chairman of the National Committee, I thought we should not make the same mistake twice."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "Earlier, I thought that by convening the Standing National Committee and including a clause allowing the acting leader to appoint the emergency response committee chairman, the defect could be remedied, but the court ultimately ruled it was 'wrong and invalid,'" and pointed out, "The contents approved at the current party meeting were also made according to the current party rules, so they are ultimately artificial."

The leadership said they would contact Seo to amend the party rules, but it is known that no contact has been made so far. He said, "I am disappointed about that," adding, "I heard through the media that they are contacting from various angles and will soon make a convening request, but so far, neither the party leadership nor any party officials have contacted me."

Regarding former leader Lee's return, he said, "From a broader perspective, it is not important. Even if he returns after six months, can a disciplined party leader come back to the party and serve as leader again?" adding, "To return as party leader, he must undergo verification and evaluation by party members and the public once more."

During Seo's press conference, former leader Lee expressed regret on Facebook. He said, "I feel very sorry and heartbroken that Chairman Seo, who spoke out against injustice and clearly expressed his intentions, seems to have been burdened with a great weight," and questioned, "Why do those who should take responsibility become increasingly frenzied and loud, while those with principles have to leave their positions?"

Seo said, "In any case, it was former leader Lee who appointed me as chairman of the National Committee," but added, "However, during this process, we never had a phone call or any discussion."

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