Yongho Lee: "42 votes, concerns reflected in the vote... If Yoon's support was real, it might have been even harder"

“Jinbok Lee, Why Didn’t You Say Earlier That Yoon Was Not Mentioned?”
“Lee, Surgical Response Inevitable” Mentions Need for Additional Disciplinary Action by Ethics Committee

Lee Yong-ho, a member of the People Power Party, is declaring his candidacy for floor leader at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 15th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] On the 21st, Rep. Lee Yong-ho of the People Power Party evaluated the fact that he performed well by obtaining 42 votes in the floor leader election, saying, "The concern and worry that the People Power Party should not overcome the crisis situation in this way appeared in the form of votes."

On the same day, Rep. Lee appeared on YTN Radio's "News King Park Ji-hoon" and said, "People have been quite uncomfortable with the applause given several times when electing emergency committee chairs, and at this rate, the People Power Party can only head toward a crisis. I think this is why the opinions of the lawmakers were quite different." He also said, "Until the moment of voting, I had some anxiety like 'What if I get embarrassed?' but the result was beyond the expected close margin."

He also reiterated that there was no 'Yunsim' (President Yoon Seok-yeol's intention) in this election. When asked by the host whether the 42 votes were a check against Yunsim, Rep. Lee said, "If Yunsim really existed, it might have been more difficult for the lawmakers to muster courage." This implies that if Yunsim had influenced the election, fewer than 42 votes would have been obtained. He added, "Most of the senior lawmakers who were considering running withdrew after hearing the baseless rumors about Yunsim. It's difficult to check Yunsim, actually."

Regarding the question of whether President Yoon's promise not to intervene in party affairs should be kept, he stated, "The President has said several times that he will not intervene in party affairs, and I personally heard him say that when I met him. I believe the President's mindset is correct." About Lee Jin-bok, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Presidential Office, visiting floor leader Joo Ho-young the day before and saying that "President Yoon has never mentioned (the party situation)," Rep. Lee said, "Why didn't they say that earlier? Why come late and say that?"

Regarding his intention to challenge the next party convention, he said, "I am not thinking about that yet. Politics is still alive, but I need to be well aware of my position," while leaving room by adding, "If there is public demand, I will consider it."

He also said that the internal strife surrounding former party leader Lee Jun-seok should be wrapped up quickly. He said, "The issue with former leader Lee has caused too much damage and a fatal wound to the party, and the public is feeling fatigued due to the prolonged process," adding, "Since it has gone too far to reconcile, it would be better to part ways nicely." He also mentioned the necessity of additional disciplinary action by the Ethics Committee, saying, "A 'surgical' response is inevitable."

Regarding the court's ruling on the injunction to suspend the effectiveness of the 'Jung Jin-seok emergency committee' on the 28th, he said, "From a broad perspective, it is not desirable for the judiciary to excessively intervene in political issues," adding, "The party has taken measures by accepting the court's decision and amending the party constitution, so it would be appropriate to positively acknowledge the party's efforts and intentions and not accept the injunction this time."

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