[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Cheon Ha-ram, a candidate causing a sensation at the People Power Party's leadership election as part of the 'Lee Jun-seok faction,' appeared on the radio as a 'stand-in' for former leader Lee Jun-seok and expressed confidence, saying, "Even if voting takes place today, I will advance to the runoff." Regarding former leader Lee, he also said, "He takes the same time slot on the radio program. I appreciate it, but sometimes I feel he crosses the line."
On the 17th, on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' Candidate Cheon said, "Former leader Lee has been actively supporting me lately and acting as a speaker, which I really appreciate, but sometimes I feel he crosses the line, especially when he takes the same time slot on the radio as me."
Originally, the KBS radio had scheduled an interview with former leader Lee that day. However, since they could not reach him, Candidate Cheon appeared instead.
He said, "Of course, we don't usually discuss or coordinate these things well, but it's a bit crossing the line. Also, we are competing for headlines. Considering this, the fact that I got another chance is a very good thing," adding, "I believe former leader Lee also wants this." Former leader Lee has been appearing on various radio programs to support candidates including Cheon Ha-ram, Kim Yong-tae, Heo Eun-ah, and Lee Gi-in. As a result, he ended up competing with Candidate Cheon for headlines.
Some have pointed out that Candidate Cheon has not escaped the influence of former leader Lee. Kim Young-woo, former lawmaker and head of Ahn Cheol-soo's campaign committee, evaluated Candidate Cheon on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that day, saying, "It seems he has not escaped the shadow of former leader Lee."
In response, Candidate Cheon said, "I am an independent politician Cheon Ha-ram with my own charm, color, and political career," adding, "I agree with the direction of former leader Lee and former leader Yoo Seung-min in that the party must be reformed and changed and must not return to factional politics of the past. I acknowledge that I am somewhat under their shadow, but I am running with the determination to surpass them."
He has confidently stated that he will become party leader by surpassing candidate Ahn Cheol-soo with a 60% vote share. On this day, in response to a related question from the host, he said, "Even if voting takes place today, I believe I will go to the runoff," adding, "When looking at the poll indicators, if the sample is limited to party members only rather than our support base, my support rate rises sharply while candidate Ahn's support rate drops significantly."
Due to candidate Ahn's high recognition, polls show high numbers, but it is uncertain whether the same results will come from actual party member votes. He said, "Simply put, I don't know who among the party members will vote for candidate Ahn. That's because Ahn's stance is that unclear. If we consider party member voting, the silver cross has practically already happened, but there will be a slight time lag until this is confirmed in the poll indicators, though it won't be long."
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