Lee Ji-eun Warns of Lawsuits Over "Romantic Relationship" Speculation... Vows Strong Response to "Jeong Cheong-rae Cheek Poke" Controversy

Lee Apologizes for "Cheek Poke" Incident

Warns of Legal Action Against "Crossing the Line" Remarks

Lee Ji-eun, regional committee chair of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) for Mapo Gap in Seoul, has sparked the so-called "cheek poke" controversy after footage emerged of her poking the cheek of Jeong Cheong-rae, a candidate for the party leader, with her finger at an official event. Although Lee has apologized for what she called inappropriate behavior, she stated she will take a firm stance against speculation regarding her relationship with Jeong.

Lee Ji-eun, the head of the Democratic Party's Mapo Gap branch in Seoul, was caught on camera poking the cheek of Jeong Cheong-rae, a candidate for the Democratic Party's leadership, with her finger at an official event, sparking controversy. YouTube Hwanggija TV

Appearing on the YouTube channel 'Saenal' on August 3, Lee addressed the so-called "cheek poke" controversy by saying, "If people say, 'How can someone almost 50 years old act so immaturely?' or 'How could you pull such a stunt at such a solemn party convention?', I apologize for not displaying a more mature attitude."

However, she warned, "If anyone talks as if the two of us are in a relationship, I will not tolerate it. I will file lawsuits. That constitutes an insult to me."

Lee also referred to a recent media interview where she was asked about the "cheek poke" controversy, explaining, "I said I would be more careful in the future and that it was just a playful gesture. But then a man who was standing behind me asked what kind of relationship we had." She continued, "The intention behind such a question was to imply that the two of us had a romantic relationship."

Addressing speculation at the event that one of her hand gestures was meant to form a heart, Lee clarified that she had actually drawn a square, not a heart.

She emphasized, "I will tolerate up to this point, but I will not tolerate anyone who crosses the line."

Lee further explained, "I am actually capturing all of the comments. When I was a police officer in the past, I once gave an interview in uniform, and I filed defamation lawsuits against all comments containing misogynistic remarks."

Lee Ji-eun, the Democratic Party of Korea's regional committee chair for Mapo Gap in Seoul, has sparked controversy after being caught on camera poking the cheek of Jeong Cheong-rae, a candidate for the party leader, with her finger during an official event. YouTube Hwang Reporter TV

The "cheek poke controversy" began when video footage was released showing Lee poking Jeong's cheek with her index finger. During the DPK's joint speech event for the Chungcheong region, held at the Daejeon Convention Center in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon on August 1, Lee, sitting directly behind Jeong, lightly tapped his shoulder.

After Jeong turned around, Lee gently poked his cheek with her finger and smiled, then made a gesture with her hand resembling a heart shape.

As the video circulated online, some criticized the act as "inappropriate physical contact."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.