Cheon Haram: "Lee Junseok's Time Will Come in Mid-May" [So Jongseop's Sogteoview]

"A Major Shift Is Coming Around May 15"
"If We Surpass 15% Approval, Support Will Flock to Lee Junseok"
"The Presidential Race Will Reshape Into Lee Junseok vs Lee Jaemyung"

Cheon Haram, Standing Election Countermeasures Committee Chair of the Reform New Party, appeared on Asia Economy's YouTube AK Radio on April 28. During the one-hour interview, Cheon stated, "Lee Junseok's time will come in mid-May," and predicted, "The presidential election will unfold as a two-way race between Lee Junseok and Lee Jaemyung." Perhaps it is because he is hopeful. His answers were smooth and his voice was filled with confidence.

Is the Reform New Party conducting the election campaign as originally planned?

Things are going well according to plan. From the moment former President Yoon Sukyeol declared martial law, I thought this administration would not be able to survive, and that impeachment would be inevitable, so we prepared accordingly. The first-stage goal was for candidate Lee Junseok to reach an approval rating in the 10% range before the two main party candidates were selected. We have more or less achieved our first goal. The second-stage goal is 15%. We are moving toward that stage. We are rallying those who believe a change in government is necessary but do not want to see a Lee Jaemyung administration come to power.

Isn't the campaign relying too much on Lee Junseok's personal appeal?

It's a tough assessment, but I accept it. For now, we've decided to move forward with the young duo of Lee Junseok and Cheon Haram. While we are pushing hard with a candidate-centered approach, we are not relying solely on individual heroics. As the campaign progresses into the later stages, we are internally preparing for more experienced figures to join the effort.

Cheon Haram, Acting President of the Reform New Party (Standing Election Countermeasures Committee Chairman), was interviewed by Asia Economy on the 28th at Chungmuro, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Heo Younghan

If you were to introduce the three main presidential pledges of the Reform New Party, what would they be?

The key words for our society are economy, region, and responsibility. Many people say that regulations should be eased and that we need to inject more vitality into our companies and economy. In the past, we've taken piecemeal approaches, like removing small obstacles or utility poles, but these methods are slow, outdated, and government-led. Instead, we propose setting a benchmark country for each economic sector. For example, if the United States is the top country in a given field, then whatever is allowed in the U.S. should be allowed here as well, without unnecessary debate. This is the benchmark country system. Discussing each issue one by one takes too much time. While pursuing fundamental reforms, we must not let our industrial competitiveness decline.

The second pledge is regional autonomy in corporate taxation. In the U.S., each state decides its own corporate tax rates. In Korea, whether it's Busan, Gwangju, or Daegu, even if they want to foster their key industries, there is nothing they can offer, and mayors have no autonomy and must plead for support. We propose allocating about 30% of corporate tax as local tax, and within this 30%, giving each region the autonomy to decide how to use it based on their local infrastructure. The final pledge is responsibility. The state liability system for teacher lawsuits is a system in which the education office responds to civil or criminal lawsuits filed against teachers. The same applies to police officers and firefighters. Many public officials are unable to perform their duties properly due to complaints, lawsuits, or fear. The state must take full responsibility so that public servants can do their jobs without being intimidated by unreasonable and malicious complaints.

You mentioned a second-stage goal earlier. Why is 15% so important?

Among the younger generation, support for candidate Lee Junseok is rising significantly. However, in other generations, there are still doubts?"Can Lee Junseok really do it? Is he a realistic alternative?" If we break through the 15% mark and make it a three-way race, I expect that even among older voters, support will shift toward Lee Junseok. If the perception takes hold, even slightly, that we can only win by surpassing a 15% approval rating and putting Lee Junseok forward, it could lead to a dramatic reversal. It is possible.

The Democratic Party has confirmed Lee Jaemyung as its candidate and has begun its campaign in earnest.

For those who believe Lee Jaemyung should not become president, this is a moment of great crisis. The People Power Party's primary is a comedy. They are holding a preliminary round and then a final with Han Ducksoo, but even this will not go smoothly. If that happens, even those who were against Lee Jaemyung may end up supporting him.

Watching the People Power Party's primary, I find myself wondering if they're just playing around?how must the public feel? Right now, support is shifting toward Lee Jaemyung. While Lee Junseok is in a hurry to move forward, the People Power Party keeps insisting that we should join them or form a big-tent alliance, which only leads to further alignment. The public sentiment for a change in government could end up with no alternative and all support flowing to Lee Jaemyung, which is a dangerous situation.

Cheon Haram, Standing Election Countermeasures Committee Chair of the Reform New Party, emphasized, "Soon, Lee Junseok's time will come." Photo by Heo Younghan

Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party candidate, is pursuing a strategy of minimizing risks, projecting stability, and trying to attract not only moderates but also conservatives.

He is playing "bed soccer" (delaying tactics). When Lee talks about unity, I honestly find it a bit laughable. Not long ago, he was handing out nominations to both anti-Lee and pro-Lee factions. He even accused the anti-Lee faction of colluding with prosecutors to try to arrest him. He has also shown a distorted historical perspective, such as referring to U.S. troops as an occupying force. Now, just before the election, he claims to be a conservative? I don't think the public will believe that.

However, those who declared martial law find it difficult to criticize Lee. While the anti-Lee nominations were an internal party purge issue, martial law was literally an attempt to use the military to pressure and harm opponents. It doesn't make sense for the People Power Party to claim that Lee Jaemyung's unity efforts lack sincerity. The anti-Lee Jaemyung strategy is groundless.

Are you saying that the People Power Party's anti-Lee Jaemyung strategy will be ineffective?

Yes. Lee Jaemyung may be a bad person, may have made mistakes, and may be a frightening figure if he gains not only legislative but also presidential power. However, the public is saying to the People Power Party, "You did worse. Do you think we'll vote for you just because you're anti-Lee Jaemyung?" Those who participated in martial law should never seek power again. This is a matter of the minimum sense of political responsibility.

Do you think this presidential election will become a two-way race between Lee Jaemyung and Lee Junseok?

It is entirely possible. Right now, it may be hard to imagine a third-party candidate, not from the two major parties, winning. Lee Jaemyung is leading, but more than 55% of the public has a negative view of him, which is unusual. Is there anyone in the People Power Party who can bring these people together? The People Power Party cannot win because it is tainted by the original sin of martial law. They may be able to say they "fought well despite losing," but there is no scenario in which they win. The time is coming when people will realize that even a 1% chance of victory lies with candidate Lee Junseok. If Han Ducksoo tries and fails, the public's perception of Lee Junseok will change again. That time is approaching.

Are you saying that Han Ducksoo's candidacy will lack justification and impact?

If they had put forward someone like Bank of Korea Governor Lee Changyong, maybe it would have been different, given the economic crisis. But this is not about Han Ducksoo's character. Not only did he fail to stop martial law, but there are many other issues that have been overshadowed. Does the Prime Minister bear no responsibility for the medical crisis? Does Han Ducksoo bear no responsibility for the many administrative failures during Yoon Sukyeol's three years in office? He is inheriting all the problems of the Yoon Sukyeol administration.

Now, with President Yoon Sukyeol impeached for unconstitutional martial law, to bring in the former prime minister?his second-in-command?and make him president? This is irrational. It is an illogical scenario. There is a lack of even the minimum sense of political responsibility. If Han Ducksoo runs, he will be rejected by the public. They are just holding a party among themselves.

Cheon Haram, Standing Election Countermeasures Committee Chairman, said, "Candidate Lee Junseok will complete the race until the end," drawing a line on the 'unification'. Photo by Heo Younghan

For Lee Junseok to create a two-way race with Lee Jaemyung, there needs to be a "Lee Junseok wave." The epicenter would likely be Daegu and Gyeongbuk. How do you assess the current response there?

The response is as expected. Right now, it is the People Power Party's time. We are well aware of this. For about another week, it will be Han Ducksoo's time. The Reform New Party is steadily doing what it can without impatience. The moment when the debate will be whether it is a change of government led by Lee Jaemyung or a change of government plus generational change led by Lee Junseok will come in earnest the week after next. At that time, I expect Daegu and Gyeongbuk to respond even more strongly.

Do you expect a qualitative change in the election around May 15?

Yes. There will be a major change.

Are you drawing a clear line of distinction from the People Power Party?

We have no choice. Former President Yoon Sukyeol was brought in as a mercenary to defeat Lee Jaemyung and Moon Jaein. If a mercenary causes enormous damage to the army, he should be dismissed. Even pro-Yoon factions must know that if they continue to embrace former President Yoon Sukyeol, they will lose the election, but they are driven by their own political ambitions. They want to maintain party hegemony and control nominations and cannot give up their mainstream status. By bringing in Han Ducksoo, they are trying to claim they did their best and avoid blame. Why should we join them? If they had properly dealt with former President Yoon and engaged in genuine reflection and reform, candidate Lee Junseok would have faced public pressure as well, but the order was reversed. Candidate Lee Junseok will choose principle over convenience. If he pursues this sincere goal, he will stand in contrast to the People Power Party. Lee Junseok is someone with a long political future ahead. He needs to properly demonstrate his abilities to the public, and since there are people who believe in him and want to join him in politics, he must complete the race to maintain his support base.

Do you have a secret weapon that could turn the tables?

We need disruptive innovation. We've experienced several changes in government, but what has really changed? To bring about political and generational change, unification or a big-tent alliance will not suffice. With a new approach, candidate Lee Junseok must create a dramatic reversal to defeat Lee Jaemyung. I don't know if it will be earth-shattering, but we are preparing diligently.

Lee Jaemyung visited the graves of former presidents Syngman Rhee and Park Chunghee.

He did well. When I was younger, I was harsh in my assessments of presidents who ruled as dictators. These days, I think that perhaps, at each moment in history, the leaders of the time played their necessary roles in their own ways. So I believe we should be careful not to judge past presidents too harshly. I hope more politicians will try to accept Korea's history as it is, and take pride in the path we've taken so far.

                * Click the video to watch the full interview.