Kim Gi-hyun Met Lee Jun-seok Before Resigning as Representative... "Discouraged New Party Formation"

Lee: "I never told Kim to change... The president must change"

On the 13th, Kim Gi-hyeon, who declared his resignation as the leader of the People Power Party, reportedly met privately with former leader Lee Jun-seok to dissuade him from founding a new party.

People Power Party leader Kim Ki-hyun and former leader Lee Jun-seok. [Source=Yonhap News]

Former leader Lee appeared on the YouTube channel 'Speaks' that day and revealed the meeting with Kim, stating, "We met to discuss my position, but we talked a lot about Kim's position." The meeting drew attention as it took place while Kim had gone into hiding over issues regarding his resignation or decision not to run again, and he met Lee privately.

Lee reportedly told Kim to "take a little more time" and "think calmly." Lee also said, "I do not believe Kim is at fault," adding, "I have never told anyone to replace Kim; I have only said that the president should be changed."

The meeting between the two lasted about an hour starting around 11 a.m. that day. It was arranged by a senior lawmaker of the People Power Party. When Lee was party leader, Kim served as floor leader.

Kim announced his resignation as party leader around 5 p.m. that day via Facebook. Afterwards, he posted a separate message explaining the purpose of the meeting with Lee. Kim said, "I have conveyed my intention through various channels to Lee Jun-seok's side that it would be better to join forces with the People Power Party rather than founding a new party and face the general election together. Today's meeting was part of that process."

He added, "This morning, I met with Lee and conveyed several concerns within the party regarding the founding of a new party. The rumor that I am participating in Lee Jun-seok's new party is completely unfounded. On the contrary, I discouraged the founding of a new party."

He emphasized, "Kim Gi-hyeon has never once left our party and is a loyal, grassroots party member. Our party must not be divided, and I have no intention of participating in a new party." Kim continued, "As a former party leader, I will devote all my efforts until the end for the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and the People Power Party's victory in the general election."