Lee Jun-seok, Running Again for Next Party Leader?..."To Prevent If C or D Comes Out"

"Merger with the People Party was hoped to be settled last week... Under discussion"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of the 58th Korea Press Photo Exhibition held at the plaza of the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 4th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 5th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, expressed his intention to run if a certain person runs in the next party leader election.

On the same day, Lee appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and was asked about the possibility of challenging for the next party leadership. He said, "If the B member I have in mind runs for the next party leader, I will support that person. If C or D, whom I feel somewhat uneasy about, run, I will have to do something to stop them." When asked, "Who are C and D? Is one of them Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party?" he replied, "I won't tell."

Regarding the merger with the People Party, Lee said, "I hoped it would be settled last week. The negotiation team has been given considerable authority, but since there are (local) elections internally, it seems sensitive and there are disagreements."

He added, "There is a difference in party strength with the People Party, so if there is a party member primary, it would be too disadvantageous. If there is a capable person from the People Party, it is right to create an environment where that person is not disadvantaged. Discussions are ongoing from that perspective."

Regarding the local election landscape on June 1, Lee said, "Since we were completely defeated in the last local election, many people expect it to be better than that," and added, "We showed strength in the Chungcheong region during the presidential election, so I hope that advantage continues."

About Song Young-gil, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, officially declaring his candidacy for Seoul mayor, Lee said, "Since I am very close to former leader Song, I don't want to cause misunderstandings, but since he chose not to run in the next general election, it seems natural that he is aiming for the presidential election or something like that," adding, "Because after serving as mayor for four years, there is a one-year period to prepare for the presidential election." He continued, "Facing Oh Se-hoon, Seoul mayor and the most competitive among our metropolitan government candidates, might be a bit burdensome for him."