[Current Affairs Show] Lee Junseok: "I Can Join Forces with Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo"

"Focusing on Discovering Common Ground within the Opposition"
"Former Leader Cho Kuk Shows No Change Before or After Pardon"

■ Broadcast: Asia Economy 'So Jongsup's Current Affairs Show' (Mon-Fri, 4-5 PM)

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongsup ■ Director: Producer Lee Kyungdo

■ Guest: Lee Junseok, Leader of the Reform New Party

On August 19, the final TV debate for the candidates running in the People Power Party convention took place. The moderator posed a question: "If you could only reinstate one person, Hong Joonpyo or Lee Junseok, who would it be?" Candidates Kim Moonsu, Jang Donghyuk, and Cho Kyungtae pointed to former Mayor Hong Joonpyo, but candidate Ahn Cheolsoo said, "I would reinstate Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party." He explained his reasoning by saying, "He is a symbolic figure for those in their 20s and 30s, has a practical mindset, and possesses the intellectual ability to develop the economy due to his background in science and engineering."

Lee Junseok shared a news article about this on his social media, writing, "(Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo) is a righteous and strong person. DASH (Sprint) Ahn Cheolsoo!" expressing his support for Ahn. This moment symbolically showed that the relationship between Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo and Lee Junseok, once considered political rivals, has changed. I asked Lee Junseok directly about his relationship with Ahn. Lee also stated, "Now, in order to stand up to the tyranny of the ruling party, the opposition must focus on finding commonalities rather than differences," signaling a change in his future approach. The interview was conducted by phone at 10:15 AM on August 28.

On the 28th, Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, who was interviewed on 'So Jongsup's Current Affairs Show,' said, "Now the opposition must find commonalities rather than differences."

Have you completely resolved any lingering issues with Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo?

We were in the same party during the Bareunmirae Party days. At the time, I was part of the Bareun Party faction with former Assemblyman Yoo Seungmin, while Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo was working with former members of the People's Party. Amid internal party conflict, I think a lot of misunderstandings built up between us. And those misunderstandings continued even after Ahn Cheolsoo joined the People Power Party, with some calling for my expulsion, among other issues, so things escalated a bit. Now, in order for the opposition to stand up to the tyranny of the ruling party, we need to focus on discovering elements that foster a sense of unity rather than highlighting our differences. Therefore, I plan to make efforts to find common ground not only with Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo but also with a broader range of people.

You want to focus on commonalities within the opposition rather than differences?

During the recent period following the martial law incident, Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo has shown a very firm and clear stance. As a result, we have had no political disagreements recently, and we share many common interests in areas such as science, technology, and AI, which allows us to strengthen our cooperation. In contrast, even among People Power Party assemblymen with whom I am personally close, many have different views on martial law or maintain relationships with hardline conservatives like Jeon Hangil, making it difficult to approach most of them.

After the AI forum in Pangyo in April and having a meal together in May, have you met or spoken with Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo since then?

Assemblyman Ahn was busy running in the party convention, so it was difficult to get in touch. Coincidentally, during this year's Liberation Day event at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Ahn Cheolsoo and I ended up sitting in consecutive rows. That day, I saw him holding a small banner and very actively expressing his opposition to President Lee Jaemyung's pardons of Cho Kuk and Yoon Mihyang. It had been a while since we greeted each other. Since it was a difficult angle for photographers, I stood up and took a photo of his courageous action and shared it with someone on his team, which ended up being widely reported. I always try to help whenever I can.

Do you have any plans to meet Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo soon?

Our staff members are in frequent contact. There are some discussions underway, but nothing has been finalized. If anything becomes concrete, we will release it to the media.

Are you planning something behind the scenes?

It's not anything that serious; rather, we're just trying to do what we can together in the current situation.

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, described his relationship with Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo as "a relationship similar to Tom and Jerry in cartoons." Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Was there a particular turning point that changed your perspective on Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo?

I once described my relationship with Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo as similar to Tom and Jerry in cartoons. Even if we sometimes hit each other over the head with frying pans, at the core, those cartoon characters operate from a kind of camaraderie.Likewise, although Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo and I may bicker from time to time, I believe we should actively share our clear opposition to martial law, our interest in science and engineering, and our opinions on the AI industry.

Have you ever thought about working in politics together with Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo?

When we were both in the Bareunmirae Party, there was a difference between the politics Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo wanted to pursue and the politics that former People's Party members in the party wanted.I also established the Reform New Party to pursue new politics. In the past, Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo's slogan of "new politics" faded within the People's Party for practical reasons. If he ever decides to take on new politics again, we could join forces. Even if we are not in the same party, there are many things we can do together.

Let me ask about some current issues. Jang Donghyuk was elected as the leader of the People Power Party. How do you analyze this?

Candidate Kim Moonsu became the presidential candidate in the last election by a relatively narrow margin. The process of unifying with Prime Minister Han Ducksoo and other such events likely built up disappointment among party members. In fact, if there had been no unification issue at that time, it would have been difficult for Kim to be elected. For example, Hong Joonpyo could have gained more momentum. Although Kim Moonsu had much higher name recognition and won in public opinion polls, I think the responsibility for the presidential election defeat among highly engaged party members played a role.

Is there a possibility that some assemblymen will leave the People Power Party and cause a rift ahead of the local elections?

When we see clouds billowing up, we think, "Ah, it's going to rain." But for rain or snow to actually fall, there need to be lots of dust particles inside for the water vapor to cling to. The People Power Party currently has clouds billowing up, but there don't seem to be any key figures who could act as the nucleus. So, I think it will just remain in a state of thick clouds.

Click the video to watch the full interview.

There is analysis that former leader Han Donghoon suffered a political blow as a result of the People Power Party convention.

People say he lacks political experience, and this time it was clearly revealed. When I first learned politics from former President Park Geunhye and observed her from 2012, what I realized is that you have to stick to two principles. First, you must be able to astutely determine whether or not an election is worth entering. It's not just about whether you win or lose, but whether the election has meaning.

Second, when helping others, you must accurately judge whether you can actually change the outcome by getting involved. In other words, can I intervene and help someone who is likely to lose win, or can I cause someone who is likely to win to lose? Unless you are choosing one of those two, there is no point in participating in an election.

On the surface, it looked like Kim Moonsu was going to win this time, and in that situation, supporting Kim Moonsu simply because of backlash against Jang Donghyuk did not fit those principles. I think he overlooked the principle of knowing when to step in and when to step back, or perhaps no one around him pointed it out.

It seems former leader Han Donghoon will have a hard time finding his place within the People Power Party.

There are even rumors about forming a new party, but not just anyone can do that. Even in the last general election, many tried to form new parties, but only the Cho Kuk Innovation Party and the Reform New Party achieved meaningful results. It will be difficult for Han Donghoon's side to push for a new party. I think he will need some time to reflect.

How do you evaluate former leader Cho Kuk's actions after his pardon and reinstatement?

One of the functions of prison is correction and rehabilitation. However, in the case of former leader Cho Kuk, the prevailing opinion is that it's hard to see any difference before and after he went to prison. It's not as if he was pardoned and reinstated for participating in the democratization movement. Some even joke that he was there too briefly for any correction or rehabilitation to occur, since nothing seems to have changed. Shouldn't he be a little more cautious?