First Unification Deadline Approaching: Anxious People Power Party, Unhurried Lee Junseok

Ballot Printing Deadline Set for May 25
Complex Calculations Continue Beyond the Presidential Election

The choices surrounding the unification of Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party presidential candidate, have emerged as a late-stage variable in the 21st presidential election.

According to political circles, Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate, has set May 24?the day before ballot printing begins?as the first deadline and is making all-out efforts to court Lee. However, Lee has stated, "There will be no political engineering-based unification." His political justification is that "there is no reason to pursue a losing unification." In reality, even if their approval ratings are simply combined, they do not surpass the support for Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party candidate. Nevertheless, the People Power Party believes that since Lee is polling at around 10%, a unification could narrow the gap and attract swing voters in their 20s and 30s.

If Lee completes the race independently and secures a double-digit vote share in the presidential election, this could strengthen his position as a candidate for the next or even the following presidential election. Political commentator Park Sangbyung analyzed, "Unification would likely be a choice where Lee Junseok stands to lose more than he gains. If he withdraws from his first presidential race in favor of a candidate from a party criticized for impeachment and insurrection, it could deal a fatal blow to his political career."

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, and Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party presidential candidate, are attending the Seoul debate for walking with the underprivileged held at Seoul City Hall on the 19th. 2025.5.19 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Some speculate that Lee, recognizing the limitations of a third party, may ultimately form a last-minute alliance with Kim. There are expectations that Lee could use this as a strategy to return to his 'home base' and reestablish himself at the center of politics. The problem is that there is little time left. If unification occurs after May 25, the ballot will not reflect a 'candidate withdrawal' mark. The second deadline is May 28, the day before early voting begins. Depending on circumstances, unification could remain an issue until June 2, the day before the main vote.

Meanwhile, on the morning of May 22, Lee plans to hold the 'Hakshik Meokja Lee Junseok' event at Inha University, and in the afternoon, he will have a conversation with the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea. In addition, he announced a pledge to structure the total annual salary of high-ranking government officials at the vice minister level and above as 50% fixed pay and 50% performance-based pay, with the performance-based portion linked to the real GDP growth rate.