Lee: "People Power Party Tried to Politically Annihilate an Individual"
Building a Transportation Network Connecting Daejeon, Sejong, South Chungcheong, and North Chungcheong
On April 27, Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform Party, sharply criticized the so-called "anti-Lee Jaemyung big tent" proposed by members of the People Power Party as a coalition to block the presidential victory of former Democratic Party leader Lee Jaemyung. He stated, "No matter what movements occur just a month before the election, they cannot be considered sincere."
After attending the regular general assembly of the Korean Medical Association held at the Daejeon Convention Center (DCC) in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Lee told reporters, "I will devote myself to the political reform of the Republic of Korea going forward. I do not believe that I or the members of the Reform Party will change our intentions for the sake of political maneuvering."
Lee also alluded to his disciplinary action by the People Power Party when he was party leader in 2022, saying, "Many citizens know how the People Power Party treated me. There was a time when they tried to politically annihilate a single individual, not simply as a matter of political conflict. Over the course of about three years, no one made any effort to reflect on or restore the situation," he criticized.
When asked by a reporter about his reason for attending the medical association's general assembly, Lee pointed out, "For the past two years, the people of Korea have faced many concerns due to medical issues. These arose because of unilateral actions carried out under the name of reckless medical reform by the Yoon Sukyeol administration."
He continued, "Because these issues were caused by unilateral actions and, since former President Yoon Sukyeol has been impeached, it is politically very important to see what is discussed at this medical association assembly. Based on these opinions, we must formulate our medical policies, which is why I made it a point to attend."
In response to a question about how the campaign pledge to divide the Ministry of Health and Welfare into separate health and welfare ministries might impact the medical community, Lee answered, "As health and welfare have become increasingly intertwined and welfare has grown in importance, health policy has been shifting to follow the logic of economic ministries."
Regarding the strengthening of transportation networks in the central region, Lee explained that he would consider various options such as establishing a KTX Sejong Station, expanding the Chungcheong metropolitan railway, and extending Line 1, in order to build a transportation network that fully connects Daejeon, Sejong, South Chungcheong, and North Chungcheong.
As the presidential race heats up, Lee has also expressed support for the relocation of the National Assembly and the presidential office to Sejong, an issue that is again drawing attention. On Facebook, he stated, "The travel time between Seoul and Sejong, and between Suseo and Sejong, including the time to reach downtown after disembarking, must be reduced to within one hour. Only then can the connection between the economic and administrative centers be truly activated."
He continued, "Until now, there have been disagreements among local governments regarding the establishment of Sejong Station in order to vitalize Gongju Station. However, the positive effect of completing Sejong City on the Gongju region will be greater. Osong Station will continue to serve as the gateway for access from Yeongnam to Sejong as the junction of the Gyeongbu and Honam high-speed railways," he emphasized.
Additionally, Lee asserted, "With a decisive approach, I will achieve the completion of Sejong City, which was the dream of President Roh Moo-hyun and the conviction of President Park Geun-hye."
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