Lee Junseok: "Big Tent with People Power Party Is Outdated... Kim Yongtae Knows My Personality, Won't Contact Me"

Emphasizing an Independent Path While Dismissing the Possibility of Unification
Criticizing by Highlighting Kim Moonsoo's Defeat in Daegu

Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, dismissed the possibility of unifying his candidacy with Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, on May 13. He drew a clear line regarding the so-called 'Big Tent Unification,' calling it an outdated strategy.

In an MBC radio interview on May 13, Lee addressed the repeated calls for a unified presidential candidate centered around the People Power Party, saying, "That shows the limits of imagination," and added, "Did the chaos over unifying with candidate Han Ducksoo do any good?" He continued, "This situation demonstrates just how strategically unsound a reckless unification can be," and stated, "I hope the People Power Party gives up on such ideas. I hope they realize that elections cannot be won with outdated strategies."

Lee also dismissed the possibility of unification through Kim Yongtae, the emergency committee chairperson of the People Power Party. In political circles, there has been analysis that Kim's sudden appointment of Kim Yongtae, who had previously worked with Lee in politics, as emergency committee chairperson was part of a vision for a Big Tent. Lee said, "There is absolutely no possibility," and added, "Chairperson Kim knows my personality, so he would not contact me about such things."

Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, is giving a speech at the launch ceremony held at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul on the first day of official election campaigning for the 21st presidential election on the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News.

Lee spoke about a major transformation in the conservative camp. He said, "The conservative bloc is moving in a direction where it seems unlikely to ever become a ruling force again," and added, "A complete transformation is necessary."

Lee also mentioned that even in Daegu, Kim's competitiveness was not being recognized. He said, "When Kim ran for the National Assembly ten years ago, he lost to Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum," and added, "At that time, Daegu citizens rejected Kim by a large margin. Although much time has passed, even then, people made that choice based on the idea that 'you can't turn the waterwheel with water that has already flowed by.' Now, after ten more years, can you really turn the waterwheel again with water that has already flowed by?" Lee stated, "Although the tumultuous candidate selection process may have generated some sympathy, it is difficult to see Kim as a candidate who represents the future."