Lee Jung-mi "Resignation Is Not the Solution... Unity Is Possible Only by Establishing a Core"

Justice Party, Aftermath of Gangseo-gu By-election Defeat
Lee Jeong-mi "Will Find a Solution by the Reestablishment Convention"

Lee Jeong-mi, leader of the Justice Party, drew a line against calls for resignation amid intensified internal conflicts following a crushing defeat in the Seoul Gangseo District Mayor by-election, emphasizing the need for 'self-strengthening.'

In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs' on the 24th, Lee said, "Self-strengthening is a process," adding, "We need to clearly show what our party aims to do to establish a foundation, which will also enable broad alliances and coalitions."

Lee Jung-mi, leader of the Justice Party, is deep in thought while attending the National Labor Directors Conference held at the National Assembly Library on the 19th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Regarding demands from some party members that she should resign to take responsibility for the election defeat, Lee stated, "It's not that I haven't considered it, but through meetings with the parliamentary group and consecutive meetings with metropolitan and provincial party chairpersons, it was concluded that resignation is not the solution at this moment. Instead, it is necessary to settle how to move forward," drawing a clear boundary.

On the causes of the Gangseo District Mayor by-election defeat, she said, "A significant number of those who previously supported the Justice Party did not choose us in this by-election because we failed to create incentives for them to continue supporting and investing in the party," adding, "A thorough self-reflection is necessary."

However, she emphasized, "That does not mean there are people in South Korea who think a third party, other than the two major parties, is unnecessary," and stressed, "Although the Justice Party is a very small minority party with six members, we have achieved civic legislative outcomes, and in the 21st National Assembly, we succeeded in passing the difficult Serious Accident Punishment Act, which was a significant achievement toward creating an industrial safety society."

She continued, "We are preparing for a reestablishment convention in November," and said, "I will unite the internal differences within the party by the reestablishment convention to propose solutions to the crises facing our era, as originally discussed by the Justice Party. Within that, we will establish the party’s core and create solutions to find breakthroughs through broader alliances and coalitions during the general election process, no matter what it takes."