Lee Maintains Stance Against Conservative Unification
"Time Is on Lee Junseok's Side... Building a Base Among Future Generations"
Some Suggest He May Join Last-Minute Candidate Unification
Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, has emerged as the key figure in negotiations for a unified conservative presidential candidate. As the issue of unification between Kim Moonsoo, the candidate from the People Power Party, and Han Ducksoo, the former Prime Minister and independent preliminary candidate, has become a focal point, the so-called "big tent" of the broader conservative camp could take different shapes depending on Lee's decision. Analysts suggest that whether Lee completes his presidential run or joins the big tent coalition at the last minute could significantly shake up the presidential race.
According to political circles on May 7, Lee is still maintaining his stance of "no unification for the broader conservative camp." In response to some voices within the conservative bloc urging him to discuss big tent formation with Kim Moonsoo and Han Ducksoo, Lee reiterated, "I have no plans to meet either of them." He also expressed his discomfort over his name being included in the unification list, calling it "secondary victimization."
Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, is attending and speaking at the Kwanhun Debate held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on April 30, 2025. Photo by Jo Yongjun
Lee's suggestion that he will complete his presidential run is seen as a strategic move to strengthen his political standing with an eye on the presidential election after 2025. In fact, Lee is unveiling new campaign pledges every day and is taking an independent approach. On this day, he pledged to provide a monthly pension of 5 million won to domestic scientists who have received the world's most prestigious awards, such as the Nobel Prize and the Fields Medal. Hong Hyungsik, head of Hangil Research, analyzed, "Time is on Lee Junseok's side. He is building his base among future generations," and added, "With conservatives currently disappointing the public, there is neither justification nor practical benefit for him to join the big tent."
However, there is a possibility that Lee could change his position if Han Ducksoo becomes the unified conservative candidate. The reasoning is that the so-called "Harvard alliance," as they are university alumni, could gain momentum. Political commentator Park Sangkyu diagnosed, "I believe Lee is setting the stage in advance for unification." In other words, he could raise his value and eventually participate in candidate unification through a last-minute public opinion poll or a similar process.
In recent polls, Lee has been recording a support rate of 6 to 9 percent in a three-way race against Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party candidate, and the People Power Party candidate. Considering that Sim Sangjung, the Justice Party candidate in the last presidential election, received 2.37 percent of the vote and still had a direct or indirect impact on the outcome, political circles believe that Lee could significantly disrupt the 6·3 presidential race structure. Ultimately, whether Lee completes his run to the end or joins the conservative unification as a member is expected to remain a major variable until the final stages of the presidential election.
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