Heo Euna Leaves Reform New Party, Citing "It's Become Lee Junseok's Party"... Runs for President as Independent

Reform New Party former leader Heo Euna is holding a press conference declaring her resignation from the Reform New Party in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul on April 23, 2025. Photo by Yonhap News

Former Reform New Party leader Heo Euna has left the party along with 31 members, including those at the party chapter chair level, and will run for president as an independent candidate.

On April 23, in front of the main gate of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Heo held a press conference announcing her departure from the party. She stated that there is only one reason for her decision to break away from the Reform New Party: "Because I can no longer love or support this party, which has become the personal property of the deceitful politician Lee Junseok." Heo added, "I have endured and protected the party based on promises and convictions of change and innovation," but emphasized, "'Reform' has disappeared, and the party has become a political stage where only Lee Junseok reigns supreme. From the beginning, it was Lee Junseok's private party, and now they claim it should remain Lee Junseok's party in the future as well."

Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, is greeting commuters on the morning of the 21st at Sejong Seonggeum Intersection. Lee Junseok Camp

Heo especially compared Lee Junseok to former President Yoon Sukyeol, who was impeached, but said, "However, he has privatized the party even more cunningly and thoroughly. The Reform New Party has fallen into being a tool for Lee Junseok's political greed." She continued, "Leaving this party that we built together with everything we had is a painful and extremely difficult decision," adding, "However, remaining silent would be an even greater betrayal to the people. Today's departure is not an escape to avoid responsibility, but a choice to fulfill it." She further stated, "We will show politics proven by action, not just words of reform," and asked, "We kindly ask for the public's warm interest and sober evaluation regarding our decision and challenge today."

Heo is scheduled to hold a vision presentation on April 24 at Heojun Park in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. She was elected party leader in May last year, but after ongoing conflicts with Lee over personnel issues, she lost her position as leader in January this year through a party member recall vote.