Reform New Party to Hold National Convention on July 27... Lee Junseok's Candidacy Imminent

From Collective to Single Leadership System
Strengthening Party Leadership Ahead of Local Elections

The Reform New Party plans to hold a national convention on July 27 to elect a new party leader.

Reform New Party lawmakers Lee Junseok and Chun Haram are attending the 21st presidential inauguration oath ceremony held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on June 4, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

According to the Reform New Party on June 30, the party's national convention preparation committee decided on this day to hold the national convention on July 27 and elect a new leadership. The Reform New Party will soon convene a Supreme Council meeting to finalize this schedule.

This national convention is expected to adopt a "single leadership system" rather than the existing "collective single leadership system." In the former, both the party leader and Supreme Council members are elected based on the number of votes received, while in the latter, the party leader and Supreme Council members are elected separately.

A Reform New Party official explained, "All parliamentary parties elect their party leader and Supreme Council members separately," adding, "There have been many opinions within the Reform New Party that, ahead of next year's local elections, we should establish clear leadership through a single leadership system."

Inside and outside the party, some interpret this move as being made with the possible candidacy of lawmaker Lee Junseok, the 6·3 presidential election candidate, in mind.

On June 5, after the disbandment ceremony of the presidential campaign headquarters, Lee told reporters, "If I need to take responsibility for next year's local elections, I will not avoid it," suggesting the possibility of running.

Lee also stated at a presidential election review seminar held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on June 23, "I will ensure that the Reform New Party achieves good results in the local elections, which are now just one year away."