2024-04-27 10:28:45
[22대 국회 키 플레이어] 〈2〉 Rep. Lee Cheol-gyu, influential floor leader of the National Power Party
“Youngnam United Liberal Democrats should not disparage their supporters.”
100% of party members are against this revision… There is no pro-Yoon association, which is rather a disadvantage.
Floor leader ‘Dapjeongi’? It doesn’t have to be me… “I will decide whether to be a player or a helper.”
“Even if the Democratic Party continues to place the burden on the President to exercise the right to request reconsideration (veto) in the 22nd National Assembly, if there is a bill that needs to be vetoed, the right to veto must be exercised whether it is 100 or 1,000 times.”
People Power Party lawmaker Cheol-gyu Lee (Gangwon Donghae-Taebaek-Samcheok-Jeongseon), who won the 3rd term in the 4/10 general election, said in an interview with the Dong-A Ilbo on the 26th, “If we are not careful with our words and actions, the people will fall for the overwhelming majority party. “I don’t know when I will lose trust in you,” he said. Regarding the remarks denying the neutrality of the Democratic Party members who were candidates for the Speaker of the National Assembly in the first half of the 22nd National Assembly, he said, “They come out in an extreme way, saying, ‘There is no need to maintain political neutrality,’ but even during the military regime, there was no such winner-takes-all National Assembly.” criticized.
Rep. Lee, who is given the modifier ‘Jjinyun’ (true pro-Yoon Seok-yeol), is evaluated as playing a role as a bridge between the party and government by reading and conveying ‘Yunsim’ (President Yoon Seok-yeol’s intentions). Ahead of the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, he is considered the next influential leader of the People Power Party. When asked whether he would run, Rep. Lee said, “It doesn’t have to be me,” but left the possibility open, saying, “I have not lived a life of hesitation when faced with difficulties of one kind or another.” Regarding the crushing defeat of winning only 19 out of 122 seats in the metropolitan area in the general election, “It was not enough due to an inelegant campaign.” “I will not evaluate whose fault it is,” he said. When asked about the disbandment of the pro-Yoon group, “Is there anything to disband the National Sympathy (a pro-Yoon group study group)? “Isn’t it going to disappear after the 21st generation?” he asked.
The interview was conducted for 1 hour and 45 minutes in Representative Lee’s office at the National Assembly. The following is a Q&A.
―The Chin Yoon group claims that ‘the answer is decided’ (the answer is decided, the floor leader is Lee Cheol-gyu).
“The next floor leader must compromise with the opposition party, persuade them well, and firmly say things that are not helpful to the people. At the same time, it is better for someone who can communicate well within the party and with party members to do it. It doesn’t have to be me. I am also trying to persuade someone. However, there is criticism that the People Power Party is unable to find the chairman of the emergency committee, and the situation in which it cannot even find the floor leader must be prevented. I did not live a life of hesitation when faced with difficulties. “He will decide whether to be a baduk player or a helper who helps the party behind the scenes.”
―There is also talk of ‘I-I solidarity’ (party leader Na Kyung-won, floor leader Lee Cheol-gyu) internally.
“It’s a strange story. It is a frame made externally. It sounds like competitors are trying to harm former lawmaker me. “This is a very embarrassing and absurd story.”
―After losing in the general election, there was an evaluation within the party that it was a ‘party that gave up on the metropolitan area.’
“Why do you express yourself like that? The election campaign may have been inelegant, but that would be an understatement. The ruling party should have spoken about its policies and vision for the future. I couldn’t approach it emotionally. Compared to the Democratic Party, they were unable to reach the people emotionally and in a meaningful way. “It is true that it is lacking.”
―Do you agree with the statement that the leadership should be formed from people from the metropolitan area rather than from Yeongnam?
“Do the measures in the metropolitan area necessarily change just because people change? Is it true that you can’t do it because you’re from a certain region? Is it okay if the person you dislike is from the metropolitan area? They call it the Yeongnam Road Party and the Yeongnam Democratic Alliance, but Yeongnam is the core support base or region that protects our party. “You shouldn’t disparage it so carelessly.”
―Ahead of the national convention, there are voices calling for changing the 100% voting rule for party members.
“How is changing the election rules ahead of the election any different from the Democratic Party and its dual major political parties unilaterally creating a semi-linked proportional representation system ahead of the 21st general election? If you change it now, there will be more talk about who will benefit or be disadvantaged. “If there is a need to change the party, the new party leadership can decide.”
―There is a view that the Chinyun Group needs to change. Is developmental disintegration possible?
“This isn’t some kind of association. The National Empathy (called the pro-Yun study group) includes Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo and pro-Yoo Seung-min lawmakers. It would be criticized if someone monopolized information and public office, but did any of the people called pro-yun receive any public office? “In fact, Representative Jang Je-won was disadvantaged by not being able to participate in the election.”
―Opinions are divided regarding the cause of the crushing defeat in the general election, such as the responsibility of the President’s Office and the responsibility of former emergency committee chairman Han Dong-hoon.
“I won’t evaluate that. I don’t want to blame you for my fault. We lost because we were all lacking. “From the perspective of the election, I hoped that the president would refresh the public with stories that would be good to hear, but I also think it is foolish to only focus on the public and advance for the national interest without considering your personal popularity.”
―Did you contact former Chairman Han after the general election?
“I spoke on the phone. Do you think we fought? no. “I had tea with former Secretary General Jang Dong-hyuk at the office not long ago.”
―The Democratic Party is likely to push for special prosecutors, including Marine Corps Corporal Chae.
“Corporal Chae’s case is a simple case. Shouldn’t a special prosecution be conducted when the Corruption Investigation Office does not properly investigate? “If we become the majority party, will we create a National Assembly Prosecutor’s Office?”
Reporter Shin Na-ri journari@donga.com
Reporter Kim Jun-il jikim@donga.com
2024-04-27 10:28:45