On May 25, Reform New Party presidential candidate Lee Junseok stated, "It is fine if Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party, Lee Jaemyung of the Democratic Party, and independent candidate Hwang Kyoan, who share similar views on election fraud, wish to unite their candidacies."
During his campaign in Jongno, Seoul on the same day, Lee told reporters, "These three candidates have a shared history of questioning the fairness of elections. I have no interest whatsoever in any other unification efforts," he said.
This statement is interpreted as both criticizing the three candidates by framing them under the 'election fraud theory' and reiterating his position that he will not unify with Kim Moonsoo.
When asked whether he had any plans to negotiate a unification with Kim Moonsoo, Lee replied, "Absolutely not," and added, "When I woke up this morning, about four People Power Party lawmakers contacted me, perhaps just to check in, but I did not call them back."
Regarding the People Power Party's pressure for unification, Lee said, "The People Power Party is trying to benefit from the situation without merit, so they should stop muddying the election with the unification narrative and withdraw from this race. If the People Power Party had refrained from making unhelpful comments, Lee Jaemyung's approval rating would have dropped to the low 40% range," he argued.
Reform New Party presidential candidate Lee Junseok is having a meal and conversation with public service exam candidates at a Korean buffet restaurant in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News
He continued, "The People Power Party is helping Lee Jaemyung by pushing the unification discourse and is acting as a self-proclaimed 'Lee Jaemyung helper.' Because they keep behaving like 'unification parrots,' Lee Jaemyung is deluded into thinking that Lee Junseok will agree to a unification." He added, "If the People Power Party would just turn off their microphones, Lee Jaemyung's downfall would accelerate. If you can't be helpful, please just stay quiet."
Regarding Lee Jaemyung's claim that "Lee Junseok will pursue a seditious unification," Lee Junseok responded, "The Democratic Party argued that when the sedition they claim breaks out, the Reform New Party should join the broader opposition, but now that they are on the defensive, they are portraying the Reform New Party as a mere offshoot of the People Power Party. They are truly an untrustworthy group," he pointed out.
He also addressed the Democratic Party's announcement that they would file a complaint against him for allegedly spreading false information about Lee Jaemyung's campaign remarks at Wave Park on Turtle Island in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, saying, "Who forced him to go to Siheung and tell the merchants hurt by Wave Park that 'bringing in Wave Park was a good thing'? He goes around making gaffes and then later trembles with anger while criticizing the Reform New Party," he said.
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