Lee Jun-seok Challenges Party Leadership: "Confident in Gaining Support from New Opposition Base"

Local Elections and Presidential Election: "Need to Introduce a Fair Competition System That Provides Equal Opportunities"

Former Lee Jun-seok, Supreme Council Member of the United Future Party (predecessor of the People Power Party)
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Lee Jun-seok, former Supreme Council member of the Future United Party (predecessor of the People Power Party), is running for the People Power Party leadership election. At 36 years old this year (born in 1985), he is the youngest candidate to have announced his intention to run so far. He played a key role in the victory by serving as the head of the New Media Headquarters for Oh Se-hoon’s campaign during the April 7 by-election, focusing election strategies on the 20s and 30s age group.

In a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 7th, he said, "I plan to officially declare my candidacy once the party convention election rules are finalized," adding, "There are candidates who have contacted me to meet. I will communicate with them and run without delay."

On the afternoon of the 6th, at a lecture held by Mapo Forum, a gathering of current and former People Power Party lawmakers, the former Supreme Council member expressed his intention to challenge for party leadership, stating, "(The People Power Party) party organization has not escaped the party system of the 1950s and 60s." In the phone interview that day, he explained, "Those who have continuously been in politics within our party until now find it difficult to respond to new issues," and "Since 2018, Ha Tae-kyung and I, both People Power Party lawmakers, have been able to gain popularity among younger generations because we actively engaged in ‘issue fighting.’"

He also evaluated that he has appeal to the new support base confirmed through the April 7 by-election. The former Supreme Council member said, "Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who is mentioned as a candidate, has focused on party members, and former floor leader Joo Ho-young has targeted the traditional support base in Yeongnam, whereas I engage in politics targeting the recently incorporated support base." When asked if he is confident in gaining their support, he replied, "Absolutely."

Lee Jun-seok asserted that if he becomes party leader, he will introduce a new competitive system within the party. He said, "If I become party leader, I will create a system where everyone from spokespersons to party officials can compete fairly," adding, "Starting with nominations for local elections, opportunities should be given to prove basic legislative capabilities as lawmakers."

Regarding opposition party unification, he believes self-strengthening should come first. He said, "We need to gather under one flag as soon as possible and form a big tent," adding, "The answer is to gather around our party and hold a fierce primary that the public can sympathize with." Furthermore, he emphasized, "It is necessary to create a favorable environment for former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol to join the party and produce a single presidential candidate within that framework."