Inyohan's Comment on 'Lee Jun-seok's Parents' Sparks Backlash... Will New Party Formation Accelerate?

Lee Jun-seok "Never dragged parents into insults"
Hong Joon-pyo, Kim Byung-min and others in the assembly also criticize "wrong remarks"

Inyohan, the Innovation Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, sparked a strong backlash within the party after making remarks implying that "lack of morality is the fault of one's parents" directed at former leader Lee Jun-seok. As party insiders joined in criticizing In's comments, evaluations emerged that his remarks contributed to Lee securing justification for leaving the party and standing alone.

On the 27th, former leader Lee Jun-seok criticized In's remarks on SBS Radio, saying, "In my 12 years in politics, I have had sharp exchanges with many people, but I have never seen anyone bring their parents into disparaging others."

Previously, In was reported to have said during a People Power Party branch lecture the day before, "Jun-seok has no morality. But that is not Jun-seok's fault; it seems largely his parents' fault." In also reportedly mentioned, "Although Jun-seok is impudent, we still need integration that embraces him."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Such remarks by In are interpreted as having only strengthened the justification for former leader Lee's 'new party formation.' Not only the 'pro-Lee Jun-seok faction' but also figures who had been at odds with Lee criticized In's comments. Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo wrote on Facebook that day, "Lee Jun-seok is not ill-mannered but rather audacious." Kim Byung-min, a senior party official, also criticized In's remarks on the radio, saying, "It is inappropriate to involve parents in such comments." Chun Ha-ram, the People Power Party branch chairman for Suncheon Gap and an ally of Lee, along with lawmaker Heo Eun-ah, also pointed out that In's remarks were 'old-fashioned' and condescending.

Former leader Lee appears to have completely turned his back on the Innovation Committee following In's recent remarks. Previously, In had shown willingness to embrace Lee, emphasizing 'integration.' On the radio that day, Lee raised his voice, saying, "What kind of person talks about someone's mother and father while saying they want to do well for them? If I did that, would it just solve everything by saying 'That person is a good person' after harshly criticizing someone?" This effectively ruled out the possibility of reconciliation through the Innovation Committee.

The 'rudeness controversy' that arose after referring to naturalized Korean In as 'Mr. Linton' in English may also be mitigated by this incident. Lee said, "The first sentence I said in English at that time was, 'Mr. Linton, you come from a very respected family. I am grateful for everything your family has done in Korea.' But this (mentioning parents) is not right."

Lee is fueling speculation about his 'Daegu trip' and 'new party formation' by holding a 'supporter contact network' meeting in Daegu the previous day, which the organizers estimated was attended by about 1,500 people. According to Lee, the possibility of current lawmakers joining the 'Lee Jun-seok new party' is high. At a press conference before the meeting, he said, "I am having conversations with enough people, and some have expressed sympathy. Just the day before yesterday, multiple lawmakers from our party called me asking if they could wait longer than December 27 to make a decision."

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