Lee Junseok Anticipates "What Kind of Self-Destructive Move Lee Jaemyung Has Prepared" Ahead of Third Debate

"I will ask more about his self-destructive remarks"

Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, commented on the upcoming third TV debate scheduled for May 27, stating, "I am looking forward to seeing what kind of self-destructive move Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, has prepared."

Lee made this remark on May 26, immediately after attending the Broadcast Journalists Club Invitational Debate held at the Korea Broadcasting Center in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, in response to a question about his strategy for the final TV debate tomorrow.

He added, "So far, candidate Lee Jaemyung has made several self-destructive remarks, starting with Turtle Island, and I plan to ask him in more depth why he has been doing so." This comment appears to indicate his intention to scrutinize the consequences of Lee Jaemyung's decision to establish the artificial surfing park 'Wave Park' on Turtle Island in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, during his term as governor.

Lee further criticized, "Even during the second debate, I did not expect Lee Jaemyung to deliberately bring up hotel economics again," adding, "That is why the first and second debates have proceeded in a way where Lee Jaemyung, by leading the discussion, ends up undermining himself."

Candidate Lee Junseok Attending the Broadcast Journalists Club Invitational Debate
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Photo by Ryu Youngseok = Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, is conversing with participants at the Broadcast Journalists Club Invitational Debate held at the Korea Broadcasting Center in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul on May 26, 2025. [Joint Coverage]
ondol@yna.co.kr (End)

Regarding the recent allegation about the use of 660 million won in ordinary subsidies, Lee explained, "As far as I know, it was a temporary issue related to inventory management," and added, "I understand that by the end of the election, all the funds had been filled through borrowings. Therefore, I believe it was an accounting issue that lasted only a few days." Previously, the Reform New Party had pledged to return the entire 600 million won in ordinary subsidies received from the government during last year's general election process.

Commenting on reports that former President Park Geunhye plans to visit the birthplace of former President Park Chunghee and Yuk Youngsoo, Lee stated, "Rather than being a strategy for the People Power Party to win, it seems to be a strategy to prevent their own votes from being taken away," and added, "I don't think there is anyone who believes that visiting Yuk Youngsoo's birthplace will lower Lee Jaemyung's approval rating."

In response to Kim Yongtae, the interim leader of the People Power Party, who suggested that the Reform New Party should present the conditions for a unified candidacy, Lee dismissed the idea, stating, "We are not interested in unification, and if Kim Moonsu, the People Power Party candidate, truly believes that blocking Lee Jaemyung is most important, he should simply withdraw."

When asked about his lack of explanation after posting Lee Jaemyung's 2013 Facebook post earlier in the day, Lee replied, "Lee Jaemyung made a very meaningful and ambiguous statement. By mentioning a 'real prosecutor,' he reminded everyone of his own history of impersonating a prosecutor," and added, "In 2013, it seems he was trying to associate himself with Yoon Sukyeol, who was a prominent figure at the time."