When Lee Cheol-gyu revealed the rumors of running for the party leader, there was confusion between being asked to take on a villain role and being demanded not to run outside…“asked to take on a villain role, but demanded not to run outside…confusing”,
Lee Cheol-gyu, a member of the People Power Party. / Photo=news1,
, ‘Lee Cheol-gyu, a key figure in the pro-Yoon faction who did not run for the People Power Party’s floor leader position, stated on the 8th, “I felt confused when someone within the party asked me to take on a villain role, but then demanded that I don’t run outside, saying bizarre things.” Most likely, he felt betrayed when someone who initially encouraged him to run changed their stance and demanded he not run through a different channel.’,
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, ‘During an appearance on SBS Radio’s “Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show” on that day, Lee said, “I decided early on that it is more appropriate to step back and help others after this election, rather than moving forward, to play a role in promoting harmony and solidarity within the party.” He had already made up his mind to not run despite rumors of running for the floor leader position.’,
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, ‘Lee also revealed that there were some party members and newly elected officials who had urged him to run prior to publicly opposing his candidacy. He mentioned, “Among those who demanded me not to run, there were people who actually said, ‘You should do it,’ ‘You should take on the villain role’,” and added, “Even after conveying my decision to them, they went outside and made such absurd comments.”‘,
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, ‘When asked by the host if these were the members who publicly opposed his candidacy but personally asked him to run, Lee clarified that it was through phone calls rather than direct visits. When asked if he was referring to Bae Hyun-jin, he did not mention a specific name but hinted, “You could guess from my words and responses.” He also hinted at the term ‘newly elected officials.’ Some of the party members and newly elected officials who publicly opposed his candidacy yet privately asked him to run include Bae Hyun-jin, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Ahn Cheol-soo, as well as Park Jeong-hoon, who won in Seoul Songpa-gab.’,
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, ‘On the same day, Lee expressed critical views on Han Dong-hoon, the former emergency response committee chairman, who expressed his intent to run in the party’s general meeting. When asked about Han’s candidacy by the host, Lee commented, “It’s a matter for the individual to decide,” but added, “My decision not to run for the floor leader position was partly influenced by a sense of responsibility as a member of the candidate management committee and a party member, following our defeat in the election.”‘,
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, ‘The reason Lee did not run in this floor leader election was because he felt responsible for the election defeat as a member of the candidate management committee. His remarks were interpreted as a criticism questioning whether Han Dong-hoon, who played a bigger role than the candidate management committee, was suitable to run in the general meeting. However, when asked if this applied to Han Dong-hoon as well, Lee emphasized, “No, it’s a matter for the individual to decide.”‘,
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