"Party Was at Fault": Kim Moonsoo Apologizes to Lee Junseok, Shaking Up the Presidential Race

Admitting "The party was at fault" over past ousting controversy
Lee Junseok: "Those who said 'he is costing us votes'"
Kim's camp expresses hope, saying "Unification is very much on the table"

"He is suffering outside because of the party's mistakes..."

On May 19, Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, apologized to Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party presidential candidate. Kim acknowledged the party's wrongdoing in relation to the unprecedented situation in which Lee, as the former People Power Party leader, was 'ousted' from his position due to allegations of sexual misconduct and other controversies.

At the 'Seoul Debate for Accompanying the Underprivileged,' held at Seoul City Hall and presided over by Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, Kim praised Lee, saying, "Since Lee was the leader of the People Power Party, he knows more than I do about the party's various policies, ideologies, and people." Regarding the presidential TV debate, Kim added, "Many of my supporters said that Lee Junseok was the MVP of yesterday's debate," and, "Even though we have never called each other, our thoughts are aligned, so we always head in the same policy direction." This statement breaks the political convention where, after a presidential TV debate, candidates typically claim themselves as the winner.

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, and Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party presidential candidate, are conversing at the Seoul Debate for Accompanying the Underprivileged held at Seoul City Hall on May 19, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The political community views Kim's remarks as an overture for a single candidacy. In fact, when meeting with reporters at Cheonggye Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, Kim said regarding candidate unification, "Even now, I don't consider him as being from another party," and, "We share the same thoughts and policies, but we are apart because our party made mistakes."

Although Lee displayed a friendly atmosphere with Kim during the debate, he is drawing a clear line on the issue of unification. He said, "I have no doubt about Kim's sincerity or his goodwill in trying to unite the conservative camp for the election," but added, "Over the past three years, whenever I achieved significant results, they said, 'That guy is costing us votes,' and kicked me out. Now that I hear them saying different things, I guess it's just a change of season," shaking his head.

Nevertheless, Kim's camp still holds out hope. Kim Jae-won, former lawmaker and chief of staff to Kim Moonsoo, said on MBC Radio that day, "Unification is still very much on the table," and, "If pressure for unification within the conservative camp begins, there will be plenty of room to consider it for the sake of the political future."