Lee Jun-seok "A Gunman Behind the Emergency Committee", Jang Ye-chan "Even Without Backers, Can't Go Together with Lee"

Lee Jun-seok "Emergency Committee Launch Is a Misstep, Someone Behind Is Holding a Machine Gun"
Jang Ye-chan "It's Time to Reflect, Not Just Say 'Yoon Core Group Is Bad'"

Former Lee Jun-seok, former leader of the People Power Party [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Former leader Lee Jun-seok, who has engaged in legal battles to nullify the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee (ERC), continued his criticism by saying there is "someone holding a machine gun" behind the newly launched ERC. In response, Jang Ye-chan, director of the Youth Foundation, dismissed the claim, saying, "It seems he keeps wanting to say there is a hidden force behind it, but even without any behind-the-scenes influence, the People Power Party has effectively declared that it can no longer follow Lee's leadership."

In an interview with MBC released on the 13th, Lee evaluated the party's ERC, which was stalled by his injunction request for suspension of effectiveness, and then relaunched with a new ERC, as "when the first-row ERC members fall, the second-row ERC members step in."

He said, "The launch of the ERC actually ignores the court's judgment, so many politicians would feel burdened," adding, "Originally, the People Power Party dislikes taking reckless moves, so always remaining inactive is a virtue of conservative parties, but pushing through forcefully means there is someone behind (encouraging the fight), like a 'dokjeonggwan' (combat commander)."

He continued, "Why can't they retreat? They say, 'If you step back, we'll shoot you with a machine gun,'" and "If they don't move forward, it means the current situation is impossible." Although he did not explicitly name who the 'dokjeonggwan' is, it is interpreted as targeting President Yoon Seok-yeol.

Regarding the retreat of key figures such as floor leader Kwon Seong-dong and lawmaker Jang Je-won, considered core associates of President Yoon (Yoon's key insiders), Lee called the purge of Yoon's insiders a "show," saying, "The biggest mistake by Yoon's insiders was causing turmoil within the party. If the reckless moves were independently carried out by Yoon's insiders, this should be reversed first, but that is not happening."

Jang Ye-chan, Chairman of the Youth Foundation. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, Jang, who served as head of the youth division in Yoon Seok-yeol's last presidential campaign, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Pyo Chang-won's News High Kick' and criticized Lee. He said, "Instead of saying that People Power Party lawmakers or leadership reluctantly make these decisions because of someone behind the scenes, it is time for Lee to reflect and send a message about why, despite his own contributions to winning elections, he is not welcomed by party members," pointing out the lack of such reflection.

Jang said, "The People Power Party supporters, party members, lawmakers, and district committee chairs who make up and run the government have effectively declared that they can no longer follow Lee's leadership," adding, "That is why, despite the first injunction ruling in favor of Lee, the party's national committee and standing national committee overwhelmingly approved the party constitution amendment and the appointment of the new ERC."

He continued, "While not all mistakes by the People Power Party are Lee's responsibility, the vast majority have concluded that resolving the situation by assuming Lee's return is not the solution either," adding, "He says he did nothing, but Lee's politics lasted for a year. In a cold evaluation of that year, it's not just about saying 'Yoon's insiders are bad' from start to finish."

Jang also commented on Lee's ongoing legal battles to block the ERC launch, saying, "Even if the national committee's party constitution amendment procedure or the injunction against Jeong Jin-seok's ERC is accepted, can party members or lawmakers accept Lee again?" and "I wonder if the river of no return is getting wider and wider."

Meanwhile, the hearing for Lee's fourth injunction request to suspend Jeong Jin-seok ERC chairman's execution of duties is scheduled for the 28th. Originally set for the 14th, it was postponed after the People Power Party requested a change of hearing date. The hearing for the third injunction request to suspend the effect of the national committee's party constitution amendment specifying ERC launch requirements will be held as scheduled on the 14th.

Previously, Lee also filed injunctions to suspend the duties of the 'Joo Ho-young ERC' chairman (first injunction) and all eight ERC members (second injunction) before the current ERC. The hearing for the People Power Party's objection to the results of the first and second injunctions will also be held on the 14th.

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