Lee Junseok: "Willing to Work with Courageous Reform Forces within People Power Party"

On the Pardons of Cho Kuk and Yoon Mihyang:
"Wondering If President Lee Is on the Run"

On August 11, the Reform Party stated, "If there are reform-minded forces within the People Power Party who are willing to take courageous action, we are open to working with them."

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform Party, held a workshop at the National Assembly Library that day and remarked, "The People Power Party has gone too far for us to consider unification," adding, "The People Power Party is in a state of psychological division."

Yonhap News

Lee also said, "Ahead of next year's local elections, if individuals running for metropolitan mayor or others who feel they have no role in this party convention decide to take proactive alternative actions, we will communicate with them and, depending on the situation, may act together," adding, "We will not block dialogue with that side."

However, he emphasized, "There is no room for compromise on martial law or election fraud conspiracy theories," and stated, "It is a firm principle that we do not engage in dialogue with those who support martial law, those who perpetuate election fraud conspiracy theories in the conservative camp, or those who fail to eradicate such forces."

During a Q&A session with reporters, Lee said, "If someone whose position aligns with ours, such as Representative Ahn Cheolsoo, becomes part of the party leadership, we would have considerable expectations, but we need to wait and see the outcome," adding, "If there is any disagreement on either martial law or election fraud conspiracy theories, it will be difficult to cooperate."

Chun Haram, floor leader of the Reform Party, also stated, "It does not seem likely that someone with whom we can have productive dialogue will become part of the People Power Party leadership," stressing, "Unless there is improvement on issues such as martial law or conspiracy theories, party-to-party dialogue will be difficult."

Lee strongly criticized the pardons and reinstatements of former Innovation Party leader Cho Kuk and former lawmaker Yoon Mihyang, saying, "It raises questions as to what President Lee Jaemyung is running from."

In particular, regarding former lawmaker Yoon, he said, "She is included in the August 15 special pardon, but there are unresolved suspicions that are inappropriate," and added, "It makes one wonder whether there was pressure from activist groups or if some kind of bill has come due."

He continued, "On our side, everyone is being pardoned, while for companies, even a single disaster would result in license revocation. The next day, they talk about abolishing the crime of breach of trust. It feels like they are swinging between extremes," and added, "I am concerned whether President Lee is operating based on his own firm philosophy or making sporadic decisions under pressure and demands as circumstances arise."

Regarding Democratic Party leader Jung Cheongrae bypassing both the People Power Party and the Reform Party, Lee said, "I do not want to pay much attention to someone who is caught up in a sense of competition and displaying childish behavior," adding, "It seems to be a deliberate act and that he feels burdened by the Reform Party, but I would like to tell him to relax."