Lee Junseok Draws Clear Line Against Unification with Kim Moonsoo: "Lee Junseok's Name Will Be on the Ballot"

Unshaken by External Persuasion and Pressure
Predicting a Comeback Victory through a Head-on Breakthrough

On May 22, Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, rejected the proposal to merge candidacies with Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party. Lee stated, "On the ballot that the people will receive, the name of Lee Junseok from the Reform New Party, candidate number 4, will be clearly visible."

At an emergency press conference held at the National Assembly on the same day, Lee declared, "In this presidential election, I, Lee Junseok, and the Reform New Party will see this through to the end under the names of Lee Junseok and the Reform New Party, and we will surely win."

This statement drew a clear line against discussions of merging candidacies that have emerged within some factions of the People Power Party.

Yonhap News

He said, "The reason we are not swayed by external persuasion or pressure is because we have a vision for the Republic of Korea that we want to create," adding, "The Korea we dream of is not a world of irresponsible populists who think it is fine to recklessly spend government money."

He continued, "Tomorrow marks the 16th anniversary of the passing of former President Roh Moo-hyun," and added, "Instead of taking the path of collusion, I ask you to attempt a breakthrough with Lee Junseok this time, just as former President Roh always chose to confront challenges head-on."

Lee stated, "Now, the winds of change are blowing," and added, "Now is the time for a strategic choice. Soon, the moment of reversal will come."

When meeting with reporters, Lee said, "Every time I receive a text message on my phone, I feel an infinite sense of humiliation," and criticized, "Anyone with a conscience would not be able to continue such acts by text message."

Regarding offers of party leadership trades, he said, "I have not received any such offers." Previously, Lee Donghun, the spokesperson for the Reform New Party, mentioned on social media that "these people (pro-Yoon figures) say things like, 'We will give you party leadership, so merge candidacies,' or 'Come in and take over the party.'" The Democratic Party of Korea responded to these reported offers by saying, "This amounts to candidate bribery," and stated, "We will pursue legal responsibility."