Lee Jun-seok "Presidential Role Theory? Ask Those Who Say I Should Step Aside to Win"

Published 22 Dec.2021 15:23(KST)

Conflict Mentioned with Jo Su-jin During Congratulatory Speech... "Coincidentally, Conflict with Female Politician Formerly a Journalist in the Party Makes the Position More Special"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 60th anniversary ceremony of the Korean Women Journalists Association held on the 22nd at the International Conference Hall of the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Lee Jun-seok, who resigned from the position of Co-Chairman of the People Power Party's Presidential Election Committee, expressed discomfort regarding the role in the presidential election, saying, "Ask those who say Lee Jun-seok must step aside to win."

On the morning of the 22nd, Lee made these remarks to reporters after attending the 60th anniversary ceremony of the Korea Women Journalists Association held at the Press Center in Gwanghwamun, Seoul.

Earlier, he abruptly resigned from his positions as Co-Chairman of the Presidential Election Committee and Head of the Public Relations and Media Headquarters following a conflict with Cho Su-jin, Supreme Council member and head of the Public Relations Team of the election committee. Cho also decided to step down from the Public Relations Team.

In a media interview released that day, he stated, "Even if I step down from the Co-Chairman position, I will continue to perform my duties as party leader, but only to the extent that Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, does," adding, "I will absolutely not interfere with the election committee going forward."

At the Women Journalists Association event, Lee mentioned the conflict with Cho Su-jin, a former Dong-A Ilbo female journalist and current lawmaker. He expressed sympathy for Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, who gave a congratulatory speech on crutches after leg surgery, saying, "I feel sorry that Leader Song’s leg is in pain," but added, "However, as everyone knows, my heart is in pain."

He continued, "It is especially meaningful for me to be here today because I coincidentally have a conflict with a female politician from our party who was formerly a female journalist (lawmaker Cho Su-jin)."

Meanwhile, a lunch meeting between Lee and Kim Jong-in, the General Election Committee Chairman, was scheduled for the day, leading to speculation that Kim might try to persuade Lee to return. However, Lee dismissed this, saying, "This was a prearranged meeting from before, so there are no special plans for discussion," and added, "We understand each other well, so we don’t engage in unnecessary talk."

On the other hand, Kim said in the morning about the possibility of Lee’s return to the election committee, "I will ask, but considering his personality, I don’t think he will come back just because he is persuaded."