Alliance with Third-Party Figures Including Sohn Hakkyu
Step Back from Unification with Lee Junseok
Lee Nakyon, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and current senior advisor to the Saemirae Democratic Party, declared his support for Kim Moonsu, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, in the 21st presidential election on May 27.
On this day, Senior Advisor Lee held a press conference at the Saemirae Democratic Party's central headquarters in Hanyang Building, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, stating, "It is clear that he (candidate Kim Moonsu) is the most suitable candidate to prevent the imminent emergence of a monstrous dictatorship. Therefore, I have decided to cast my vote for him." Lee directly criticized Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung, saying, "The Democratic Party of Korea has chosen the path toward becoming a monstrous dictatorship that seizes legislative, executive, and judicial powers all at once in order to eliminate the judicial risk of a single individual."
Candidate Kim Moonsu has now secured the support of another senior political figure who once led the Democratic Party, following Sohn Hakkyu, former leader of the Bareunmirae Party. With little progress in unification talks with Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform Party, Kim has begun building an alliance with third-party figures and forming an anti-Lee Jaemyung coalition.
Kim Moonsu and Senior Advisor Lee held a private meeting at an undisclosed location in Seoul on May 26 to discuss election alliance strategies. Previously, Jeon Byungheon, leader of the Saemirae Democratic Party, met with Kim Yongtae, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, on May 20 and reached a consensus on the need for an election alliance. On this day, Chairman Kim told reporters, "Through multiple meetings with the Saemirae Democratic Party, we have reached a shared understanding both directly and indirectly," emphasizing, "Today's agreement is a sincere consultation among many politicians to prevent the emergence of a monstrous state led by a particular individual."
Senior Advisor Lee and the Saemirae Democratic Party have set conditions for the alliance, including clarifying relations with former President Yoon Sukyeol. Former President Yoon left the People Power Party on May 17, and candidate Kim Moonsu announced on May 25 that he would push for an amendment to the party constitution to completely block presidential intervention in party affairs.
Candidate Kim Moonsu is expanding the anti-Lee Jaemyung front. On May 22, he declared an alliance with former leader Sohn Hakkyu. Sohn, who previously supported former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, stated, "I believe that only Kim Moonsu can save the Republic of Korea."
In contrast, efforts to unify with candidate Lee Junseok have taken a step back. Chairman Kim Yongtae said, "If the Reform Party makes it clear that they have no intention of unifying, we should respect that position," and added, "Even without unification, I am confident that candidate Kim Moonsu can win in a three-way race." This marks a change in stance from previously offering a blank check by asking for unification terms. It is seen as a move to prepare for the possibility that the unification attempt, criticized as a political calculation, may fall through.
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