Calls for Decisions from Hong Junpyo, Han Donghoon, and Han Ducksoo
Kim Moonsoo: "The Possibility of Unification Remains Open"
Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, and Ahn Cheolsoo, People Power Party lawmaker?previously known as political rivals but recently engaged in an IT discussion?have seen Ahn send a message to Lee urging a unified candidacy. Ahn argued that the conservative camp needs an "Avengers" team to face Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate. On the 19th, Ahn wrote on his social media, "To stop 'Lee Jaemyung Thanos,' we must become a true 'one team.' Lee Junseok, please call out 'Avengers Assemble.'"
Ahn Cheolsoo, People Power Party lawmaker, Lee Junseok, Reform New Party presidential candidate. Photo by Yonhap News
Ahn praised Lee, saying, "In yesterday's debate, Lee Junseok left a deep impression on the public with his outstanding logic and clear vision against Lee Jaemyung." He then emphasized, "As Lee Junseok said yesterday, Lee Jaemyung is a dangerous figure, like a pseudo-religion, and we must block such pseudo-forces together." He continued, "To do that, we must win, and to win, we must join forces. Just as all heroes must fight together when aliens invade, Lee Junseok, please call out 'Avengers Assemble.'"
He added, "It was a good decision for former leader Han Donghoon to commit to street campaigning, but he said he would campaign separately. Since the public may question who such campaigning is truly for, I urge him to quickly join the election committee and present a fully united team." Ahn also called once again for the decisions of former mayor Hong Joonpyo and former prime minister Han Ducksoo, stating that if they lend their support for a change in government, "we will definitely win."
On the 18th, presidential candidates from each party pledged their efforts during the 21st presidential election candidate debate hosted by the National Election Broadcasting Debate Commission at SBS Prism Tower in Mapo-gu, Seoul. From the left: Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party, Kwon Youngguk of the Democratic Labor Party, Lee Junseok of the Reform New Party, and Lee Jaemyung of the Democratic Party. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group
Meanwhile, Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate, and Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party candidate, will attend the "Seoul Debate for Accompanying the Disadvantaged" at Seoul City Hall at 10 a.m. on the 19th, presided over by Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon. Although Kim and Lee did not arrange a separate meeting in advance, there is ongoing speculation within political circles about the possibility of a "Big Tent" anti-Lee Jaemyung coalition through candidate unification, making this debate noteworthy.
This will be the first time since the official campaign began, aside from the televised candidate debate the previous day, that the two candidates meet at an external event. After the TV debate, Kim Moonsoo commented on Lee Junseok, "He is a former leader of our party, so there is nothing politically or ideologically different between us. It is unfortunate that due to our mistakes, he had to leave and run separately." He also said, "Of course, the possibility of unification remains open."
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