Learn Korean: Party Leader Breaks Silence, Diagnoses "Coma State"

Helpful? Recommend it so other learners can find it.
Korean Reading Practice

침묵 깬 이정현 "당 코마 상태" 진단…통하지 않은 장...

Date: March 15, 2026

Introduction

This text discusses the resignation of Lee Jeong-hyun, the chairman of the candidate nomination management committee of the People Power Party (PPP) in South Korea. Lee criticized the party's current state, saying it has fallen into a "coma-like" condition, while the party leadership has been trying to persuade him to return.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
위원장 wiwonjang chairperson 이정현 위원장은 사퇴 의사를 밝혔습니다.Chairperson Lee Jeong-hyun announced his resignation.
공천 gongcheon candidate nomination 공천관리위원회는 후보자를 선정합니다.The candidate nomination committee selects the candidates.
의식불명 uisikbulmyeong unconscious 당이 의식불명 상태에 빠졌다고 말했습니다.He said the party has fallen into an unconscious state.
코마 koma coma 당이 깊은 코마 상태에 빠진 것 같다고 진단했습니다.He diagnosed that the party has fallen into a deep coma-like state.
불쏘시개 bulssosigae firebrand 자신이 갈등의 불쏘시개가 되는 것 같아 물러나게 됐다고 했습니다.He said he resigned because he felt like he was becoming a firebrand for the conflict.
원칙 wonchik principle 누구나 예외 없이 원칙과 기준을 지켜야 한다고 말했습니다.He said everyone must adhere to the principles and standards without exception.
설득 seoldeuk persuasion 지도부는 그를 설득하기 위해 연락을 시도했지만 닿지 않았다고 밝혔습니다.The leadership tried to persuade him to return, but they couldn't reach him.
침묵 chimmuk silence 이틀째 침묵을 지키던 이정현 위원장이 당 상황에 대한 답답한 심경을 털어놨습니다.Chairman Lee Jeong-hyun, who had been silent for two days, expressed his frustration about the party's situation.
호소 hoso appeal 장동혁 대표가 공개 서신을 띄우며 돌아와 달라고 호소했지만, 이 위원장은 거절했습니다.Although party leader Jang Dong-hyeok appealed for him to return, the chairman refused.
진단 jindan diagnosis 이정현 위원장은 당이 의식불명 상태에 빠졌다고 진단했습니다.Chairman Lee Jeong-hyun diagnosed that the party has fallen into an unconscious state.
변화 byeonhwa change 당의 변화를 요구하며 후보 접수를 하지 않는 오세훈 시장을 비판했습니다.He criticized Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who refused to accept candidates, demanding changes in the party.

Reading Text

이틀째 침묵을 지키던 이정현 공천관리위원장이 당 상황에 대한 답답한 심경을 털어놨습니다. 이 위원장은 JTBC와의 통화에서 "당이 전반적으로 깊은 코마(의식불명) 상태에 빠진 것 같다"며 "마음이 아프다"고 말했습니다.

Chairman Lee Jeong-hyun, who had been silent for two days, expressed his frustration about the party's situation. In a conversation with JTBC, the chairman said, "It seems the party has fallen into a deep coma-like (unconscious) state overall," and added, "It pains my heart."

당의 분란을 키우게 될까 구체적인 사퇴 배경엔 침묵하면서도, 자신이 갈등의 불쏘시개가 되는 것 같아 물러나게 됐다고 했습니다.

While remaining silent on the specific reasons for his resignation, he said he stepped down because he felt like he was becoming a firebrand for the party's conflict, fearing it would exacerbate the party's turmoil.

혁신선대위 구성 등 당의 변화를 요구하며 후보 접수를 하지 않는 오세훈 서울시장에 대해선 "누구나 예외 없이 원칙과 기준을 지켜야 한다"며 에둘러 비판했습니다.

Regarding Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who refused to accept candidates while demanding changes in the party, such as the formation of an innovation steering committee, he indirectly criticized him, saying, "Everyone must adhere to the principles and standards without exception."

지도부는 복귀를 설득하기 위해 이 위원장과 연락을 시도했지만 닿지 않았다고 밝혔습니다.

The party leadership revealed that they tried to contact the chairman to persuade him to return, but they couldn't reach him.

장동혁 대표가 공개 서신을 띄우며 돌아와 달라고 호소했지만, 이 위원장은 JTBC 취재진에게 당분간 머리를 정리하고 싶다고 했습니다.

Although party leader Jang Dong-hyeok appealed for him to return through a public letter, the chairman told the JTBC reporter that he wants to take some time to sort out his thoughts for now.

이정현 위원장은 "당이 전반적으로 깊은 코마 상태에 빠진 것 같다"며 당의 현 상황에 대한 우려를 표했습니다. 그는 자신이 갈등의 불쏘시개가 되는 것 같아 물러나게 됐다고 밝혔습니다.

Chairman Lee Jeong-hyun expressed his concern about the party's current situation, saying, "It seems the party has fallen into a deep coma-like state overall." He revealed that he stepped down because he felt like he was becoming a firebrand for the conflict.

Cultural Notes

The resignation of a high-ranking party official like the chairman of the candidate nomination management committee is a significant event in Korean politics. It reflects the internal turmoil and power struggles within the party, which are common occurrences in the dynamic political landscape of South Korea.

Source: 네이버 뉴스 | Original Article
🎴 Learn this article's 11 words Practice as flashcards →

📝 Comprehension Questions

Write your own answer first — then see others' and the model answer.

Q1

Why did Lee Jeong-hyun resign from his position as the chairman of the candidate nomination management committee?

💬 0 answers

Be the first to answer ✍️

🔒 Submit your answer to reveal others'
Q2

How did Lee Jeong-hyun describe the state of the party?

💬 0 answers

Be the first to answer ✍️

🔒 Submit your answer to reveal others'
Q3

What did Lee Jeong-hyun say about Mayor Oh Se-hoon's refusal to accept candidates?

💬 0 answers

Be the first to answer ✍️

🔒 Submit your answer to reveal others'
Q4

Did the party leadership succeed in persuading Lee Jeong-hyun to return?

💬 0 answers

Be the first to answer ✍️

🔒 Submit your answer to reveal others'
Q5

What was Lee Jeong-hyun's response to party leader Jang Dong-hyeok's appeal for him to return?

💬 0 answers

Be the first to answer ✍️

🔒 Submit your answer to reveal others'

Comments (0)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *