"Receiving Nomination from the People Power Party Is Not Honorable"
Yoon's Absence from the Itaewon Memorial Ceremony Called "Not Conservative"
Former lawmaker Lee Eon-ju addressed rumors about forming a new party with former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, stating, "Everything is on the table."
In an interview on the 26th with BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' Lee said, "We haven't discussed specifics. However, we talked about 'seeking alternatives as young politicians' and 'feeling too much frustration to just stay as we are.'
Lee is scheduled to hold a touring concert next month in Busan and Gwangju with former leader Lee, which sparked speculation about forming a new party. Regarding this, Lee said, "The concert is not intended with the idea of forming a new party; we have been discussing this for some time."
Regarding next year's general election, he said, "Personally, I don't think receiving a nomination from the People Power Party in the current situation is very honorable," adding, "In politics, it's rewarding not to beg for a badge while whining, but to represent the people, speak my mind, and do what the people want."
He continued, "In a structure where this is not possible, applying for a nomination just to wear the badge would make me feel self-disgust," and said, "I can run as an independent and break through on my own strength, and if there are like-minded people, we can form a new party."
Lee also criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol's decision not to attend the first anniversary citizen memorial for the Itaewon tragedy. He said, "Is it that difficult to meet? Did those people commit any great wrongdoing?" He pointed out, "This incident was an accident. As the nation's top leader, he should share the pain and offer comfort for the failure to prevent an accident that could have been avoided with proper traffic control, and do what he can."
He added, "There can be differences of opinion regarding the special law on the Itaewon tragedy. Negotiations can be held, and the public will judge," and "Being so cold and not fulfilling human decency is not what conservatism is about."
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