Lee Junseok: "No Possibility of Alliance with People Power Party in Local Elections"

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, drew a clear line on November 23 regarding the possibility of forming an alliance with the People Power Party in next year’s local elections, stating, “There is no possibility of working together in an alliance or any election-related moves.”

Speaking to reporters after attending the “Let’s Gather, Gyeonggi Province! Determination to Win Rally” hosted by the Gyeonggi Provincial Chapter of the Reform New Party at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, Lee said, “There are absolutely no voices calling for change or renewal within the People Power Party,” making his position clear.

He pointed out, “Even during the last presidential election, the People Power Party seemed to rely solely on the old 1990s-style campaign slogan, ‘If we unite, we win,’ rather than shifting their stance on change or emergency measures. It was that very strategy that led to a crushing defeat for former leader Hwang Kyo-ahn in the general election.”

Yonhap News Agency

He added, “It is not a reasonable strategy to expect a different outcome while making the same choices as before.”

Regarding his strategy for the local elections, Lee stated, “I have often said that we will compete with innovation without being distracted, and the same will apply to this local election. We will establish a perfect support system to achieve significant results, focusing on young newcomers.”

As for the party’s goals in the local elections, he said, “For basic councilor positions, we are recruiting candidates with the aim of electing a representative in every three-member constituency. In regions such as Honam and a few other areas, our goal is to achieve results that will allow us to rise to the position of the second-largest party.” He continued, “In Gyeonggi Province, there is a party chapter head who has declared a run for Yongin mayor, and we have a diverse pool of candidates emerging for Hwaseong mayor. For special city-scale races like Suwon mayor, the outlines of the candidate pool are already taking shape.”