"Lee Junseok's Side Reached Out First,
But Suddenly Canceled the Meeting"
Kim Jaewon, chief secretary for Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, stated that he had received a proposal from Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party presidential candidate, to meet and discuss a unified candidacy, but the meeting was ultimately canceled.
Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, and Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party presidential candidate, are attending the Seoul debate with the underprivileged held at Seoul City Hall on the 19th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
On the 30th, during an appearance on YTN Radio's "News Fighting," Kim said, "We have been working towards unification, and there was even a proposal for a debate from Lee Junseok's side, conveyed through People Power Party lawmaker Shin Sungbeom. Last night at 9 p.m., we received a message to meet at Lee Junseok's office in the National Assembly building, and while we were preparing to go, we received another message changing the location. After that, we were notified that the meeting was canceled."
He continued, "In the end, the meeting did not take place. I believe the cancellation was due to a shift in thinking or changing circumstances on Lee Junseok's side."
He added, "We will continue our efforts toward unification until the very end, but given the various moves by Lee Junseok's side, we believe unification has become virtually impossible."
When asked by the host, "Was it Lee Junseok's side that first contacted you the previous day at 9 p.m. to meet at the National Assembly building?" Kim replied, "That is my understanding. In our party, Shin Sungbeom heads the Big Tent Promotion Team, and the contact came through him. I thought there could be efforts toward unification in some form, but after the sudden suggestion to change the location, we were immediately informed that the meeting was canceled, and that was the end of it."
However, Kim clarified that unification has not been completely ruled out. He said, "In political reality, if Lee Junseok decides to unify behind Kim Moonsoo, an overwhelming victory in the presidential election is expected. Efforts toward unification will continue until voting ends on June 3."
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