[Hot Interview] Lee Jun-seok "I Will Compete with Promises and Policies"

"Bringing Local Issues to the National Stage"
Discussing the Establishment of a Science High School in Dongtan with the Education Office
"Candidate Han Jeong-min and Gong Young-woon Will Rely on Party Power"

"I believe that politics is about how messages are delivered and the ability to elevate local issues to central issues. It is the ability to accept residents' opinions and easily communicate them to the public and political spaces. I have strengths in this area. If I enter the National Assembly, this will accelerate further."

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party who declared his candidacy for Hwaseong-si Eul, Gyeonggi Province, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 6th, "After I decided to run, many people have come to expect that issues in Dongtan will be seriously addressed in the political arena." He emphasized his weight as a 'big speaker' accumulated on the central political stage as a differentiating point from Han Jeong-min of the People Power Party and Gong Young-woon of the Democratic Party, who are competing in Hwaseong-si Eul, Gyeonggi Province.

Leader Lee entered politics in 2011 as an emergency committee member during the 'Park Geun-hye Emergency Committee' period. This year marks his 13th year in politics. He ran unsuccessfully in the 2016 20th general election, the 2018 by-elections, and the 2020 21st general election, but his recognition steadily increased. In 2021, he became the first-ever 30-something and the youngest leader of the main opposition party in the history of the People Power Party. In 2022, with President Yoon Seok-yeol's election, he also served as the ruling party leader.

Leader Lee emphasized his experience in actually discovering local issues and presenting concrete solutions. "For example, during the last presidential election, we policy-ized the complex shopping mall pledge in Gwangju Metropolitan City, which politicians had not discovered before, and many changes are currently taking place," he explained. Through this, policies that penetrated the daily lives of the people, such as the new construction and expansion of Shinsegae Department Store around Gwangcheon Intersection in Gwangju, increased public support for the conservative party.

Leader Lee added, "Right now, various issues regarding transportation and education in Dongtan are becoming issues through central media due to Lee Jun-seok's emergence. I see this as exactly what the residents have been hoping for. The response is very positive."

Running Dongtan, Running Lee Jun-seok
(Hwaseong=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Jong-chan = Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, declared his candidacy for Hwaseong in the 22nd National Assembly election on the afternoon of the 4th at Dongtan Lake Park, Jeongjo-ro, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. 2024.3.4
saba@yna.co.kr
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"We will proceed with consultations with the Office of Education on establishing Dongtan Science High School"

Specifically, he plans to start discussions on establishing a science high school in the Dongtan area in the 22nd National Assembly. When asked if the policy to establish a science high school in Dongtan could be the first bill if he becomes a member of the National Assembly, he said, "The establishment of a science high school in Gyeonggi Province has been somewhat opposed by progressive superintendents of education for ideological reasons until now," adding, "We will proceed with consultations with the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education and others in the 22nd National Assembly."

Leader Lee said, "Many corporate researchers live in the Dongtan area, and specialized education is needed more than anywhere else in Korea to supply many talents in the vicinity." He continued, "Along with policies to strengthen math education, we are drafting more detailed pledges on education, such as arts high schools, which have high demand in the region," appealing for support by saying, "It is time to make a completely different choice for the development of the Dongtan area."

Regarding the candidates Han Jeong-min (People Power Party) and Gong Young-woon (Democratic Party), who will compete in the general election, he said, "Other candidates will run relying on the power of the two major parties," and added, "The Reform New Party believes that sincerely engaging in the election rather than relying on party power is the best way." Leader Lee emphasized, "In the end, we will play the leading role in pledges and policies for the development of Dongtan."

Lee Jun-seok Meets Student Supporters
(Hwaseong=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Jong-chan = Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, is seen talking with students on the afternoon of the 4th at Dongtan Lake Park on Jeongjo-ro, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, ahead of a press conference to announce his candidacy for the 22nd National Assembly election in Hwaseong. 2024.3.4
saba@yna.co.kr
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＜Copyright(c) Yonhap News Agency, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution, AI training and use prohibited＞