Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok declared his departure from the party on the 27th, stating, "I have now entered into a competitor relationship with former Minister Han Dong-hoon (People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman)." He clearly expressed his intention to run in next year's general election, saying, "Not running is a privilege reserved for incumbents or those who are expected to win easily."
After a press conference at a barbecue restaurant in Sanggye-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul, Lee said about his candidacy for next year's general election, "I have never once abandoned the idea of running in Sanggye-dong." He added, "I am also open to the possibility of running in Nowon-gu, Seoul, where I have tasted defeat three times," and said, "If a new party is founded, I will be assigned various roles and will choose my position accordingly."
Before his departure announcement that day, when asked whether the launch of the 'Han Dong-hoon People Power Party Emergency Response Committee' would weaken the momentum of the new party, he said, "We have entered into a competitor relationship, and I don't think such a relationship is formed by denial or acceptance." Lee emphasized, "No matter how different the affiliations of individuals were from mine, would they dislike me more than the Kim & Chang duo (Kim Ki-hyun and Jang Je-won) currently in the People Power Party?" He stressed, "At least from this position, I start by denying any scenario of reconciliation before the general election."
Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok is holding a press conference to announce his withdrawal from the party at a restaurant in Nowon-gu, Seoul, on the 27th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
Regarding the schedule for founding the new party, he explained, "At this time, we are submitting the founding preparation committee registration to the Central Election Commission in Gwacheon," and added, "If everything goes as planned, the founding preparation committee will be launched today under the tentative name 'Reform New Party'." About the nature of the new party, he said, "At this stage, it is a conservative reform party led by figures who have stepped forward to reform conservatism."
He also said he would gradually reveal the members who will join. Regarding the absence of the 'Cheon Ayongin' (Cheon Ha-ram, Heo Eun-ah, Kim Yong-tae, Lee Gi-in), who are classified as part of the Lee Jun-seok faction, he explained, "Former Supreme Council member Kim Yong-tae could not join due to personal considerations, but I believe you will soon know the positions of the others," and added, "I asked them to inform the public of their intentions in the most honorable way."
When asked how many seats they expect to secure in next year's general election, he said, "The more people who hope for change in the world gather, the more seats we will win," and predicted, "Once the new party's approval rating surpasses 15% to 20%, many talented individuals will join without hesitation to challenge the election, and if it reaches 30%, South Korean politics will be completely reorganized."
When asked to metaphorically describe the situation of founding a party after leaving the People Power Party, Lee said, "Since I declared my departure last October, I have watched without any wavering whether the party changes or not, and it feels like experiencing a divorce," adding, "From what I have heard from those who have gone through divorce, it is a very complicated emotion, and I will continue my political activities with the expectation of new encounters amid these complex feelings."
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