Lee Jun-seok Abruptly Cancels Morning Schedule, Triggering Various Interpretations of His Words, "This Is as Far as I Go."

[경향신문]

People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok makes opening comments when greeting a U.S. congressional delegation at the National Assembly on the afternoon of November 25. National Assembly press photographers

People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok canceled his morning schedule for November 30. The previous evening, he wrote on his social media account, “Then this is as far as I go,” leading to speculations that he was suggesting a major decision, such as his resignation as co-leader of the party’s election campaign. So this morning’s cancellation also triggered all kinds of speculations. Recently, Lee had expressed his discomfort with how the party’s presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl did not notify him of his camp’s schedule in advance.

The People Power Party announced that at 7:55 this morning, Lee canceled plans to attend the Asia Vision Forum 2021. A representative of the People Power Party explained over the phone saying, “I heard that he was not feeling well,” and added, “I think it’s because he has a heavy workload.” According to the representative, Lee had checked the progress in the party’s affairs until he left the office the previous night and there was nothing out of the ordinary.

Some people suggested that Lee’s social media post and the abrupt cancellation of his schedule was because of the controversial “ignoring” of Lee Jun-seok. The previous day, Lee wrote on social media, “A staff (of the election camp) contacted me only after I was asked by the press if I was attending the schedule in Sejong.” He argued, “Although there is absolutely no need to report the candidate’s schedule to me in advance, I would like them to at least ask Lee Jun-seok first before deciding on a schedule, if they are to announce that Lee Jun-seok will be taking part.” Yoon’s election campaign also recruited Lee Soo-jung, a professor of criminal psychology at Kyonggi University, as a co-leader of the election campaign, despite Lee’s opposition. In a meeting with the party’s Supreme Council the previous day, Lee clearly stated his opposition to Lee Soo-jung, but added that he would follow the camp’s decision to recruit her.

The major opposition party’s leading members denied any possibility of Lee stepping down as party leader. Kim Jae-won, a member of the party’s Supreme Council, appeared on MBC radio this morning and said, “I don’t think it (Lee’s social media post) is that serious,” and drew the line by saying, “I don’t think it means that (resignation) at all. Lee is steering the presidential election as the chief leader of the campaign, so I don’t think he means to suggest leaving the election campaign or having second thoughts about the election.” As for the debate over the camp ignoring Lee, he said, “There was probably some mix-up among the staff.”