Lee Junseok Responds to Criticism Over Yoon Sukyeol's Election: "Chu Mi-ae and Moon Jaein Contributed More Than I Did"

Criticism of People Power Party Amid Unification Turmoil
Lee Junseok: "I Will Seize the Hegemony of the Centrist and Conservative Bloc"

Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, has spoken out regarding the issue of responsibility for the election of former President Yoon Sukyeol. He said, "There are more people who contributed to raising Yoon Sukyeol than I did, including Chu Mi-ae, Moon Jaein, and even Cho Kuk." On the 8th, during an appearance on CBS Radio's "Park Jaehong's Hanpan Seungbu," Lee was asked, "As the leader of the People Power Party at the time, aren't you responsible for Yoon Sukyeol's election?" He responded, "On the contrary, even after he was chosen as the People Power Party's candidate, I kept fighting to make him a proper person. I was someone who kept trying, even when I was called a 'runaway.'" He further emphasized, "Shouldn't the people who tried to make him the Prosecutor General be the ones to take responsibility?"

Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, spoke about the responsibility for the election of former President Yoon Sukyeol. He said, "There are more people who contributed to raising Yoon Sukyeol than I did, including Chu Mi-ae, Moon Jaein, and even Cho Kuk." Photo by Cho Yongjun

Regarding the unification of presidential candidates within the People Power Party, Lee said, "The result has already been decided. The talks are taking place in a situation where candidate Kim Moonsu is overwhelmingly favored. If Kim Moonsu drags things out in this situation, he will be confirmed as the candidate." He also commented on the internal situation of the People Power Party, saying, "Kim Moonsu is now in a situation where he is being pushed out, and behind that, the dark shadow of President Yoon Sukyeol is looming."

He continued, "Candidate Kim is now saying he will file for an injunction. It's obvious why he has no other choice," arguing that the situation is similar to when the People Power Party tried to expel him during his time as party leader. He added, "It's because we ended up with a truly bizarre president. I've been in politics for many years, but I think someone like this is unprecedented and will never be seen again. If I write a book later, there will be so many grotesque stories that no one will believe they are true," criticizing former President Yoon.

Furthermore, on the 9th, Lee commented on the discord within the People Power Party regarding the unification of presidential candidate Kim Moonsu and independent preliminary candidate Han Ducksoo, calling it "an unprecedented trashy drama." After visiting the Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Lee told reporters, "I am confident that the hegemony of the centrist and conservative bloc will naturally shift to the Reform New Party and Lee Junseok." He added, "It's true that a significant portion of media coverage is now dominated by trashy drama, which has reduced interest in election campaigns and policy announcements. While such drama may temporarily attract attention, once it passes, disappointment will engulf them."