Lee Junseok: "If Han Donghoon Is a Skilled Politician, He Will Either Announce a New Party or Run for Seoul Mayor as an Independent" [Current Affairs Show]

"Han Donghoon Has a Strong Desire for Honor but Lacks Ambition"
"Expelling Former Leader Han Donghoon by the People Power Party Ethics Committee Is Excessive"
"President Lee Jaemyung Will Appoint Lee Hyehun No Matter What"
"Yoon Seok-yeol Likely

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily's "Sosongseop's Current Affairs Show" (Mon-Fri, 4-5 p.m.)

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongseop ■ Producer: PD Ma Yena

■ Guest: Lee Junseok, Leader of the Reform New Party (9 a.m.)

Former Representative Han Donghoon and Lee Junseok, Representative of the Reform New Party.

So Jongseop: Hello, everyone. Welcome to Sosongseop's Current Affairs Show. Today, we will be discussing various issues with Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party. How have you been?

Lee Junseok: Yes, I've been well.

So Jongseop: You recently attended CES, right? I also heard you’re heading abroad again. Where to this time?

Lee Junseok: Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Joo Ho-young is going on an overseas tour to Mexico, Guatemala, and other countries, so I will be accompanying him for a seven-day schedule. I’m leaving today, but depending on the political situation, even though it’s a diplomatic trip, there’s a chance I might have to return early.
*Click the video to watch the full interview.

So Jongseop: I see. Let’s start with this topic. Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok has requested the death penalty for former President Yoon Seok-yeol on rebellion charges.

Lee Junseok: There’s no reason for them not to request the death penalty. After all, the special prosecutor was appointed by a particular political faction, and everyone knows that faction wants a harsh sentence. So, naturally, the sentence requested was the death penalty. Some expected life imprisonment, but in the end, the request was for the death penalty.

So Jongseop: How do you evaluate the substance of the death penalty request?

Death Penalty Request: Former President Yoon Reveals His Own Disgrace

Lee Junseok: As revealed during the trial, it’s extremely disgraceful. In previous cases, even those who staged coups in our history were tried, and they actually seized power by mobilizing the military. Yet, even then, their conduct in court wasn’t this disgraceful. Legal arguments and interpretations were debated, but blaming those around you for not stopping you is just pathetic. I always knew he was like that, but seeing him reveal it himself is just absurd.

So Jongseop: So, do you see this as a case of reaping what you sow?

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, is appearing for an interview on The Asia Business Daily's "Soh Jongsup's Current Affairs Show" at 9 a.m. on the 14th.

Lee Junseok: It’s more than just reaping what you sow. There’s talk that the People Power Party should apologize, but honestly, I’ve said for a long time that having Jang Donghyuk apologize is meaningless. It’s just a proxy apology. What’s the point of apologizing if former President Yoon Seok-yeol keeps making strange remarks that anger the public? An apology only has meaning if President Yoon himself realizes his wrongdoing. Moreover, Jang Donghyuk actually opposed martial law and voted for its repeal. His responsibility isn’t that great, so if he apologizes on behalf of others, it just looks awkward. I think it would be more meaningful for People Power Party members who failed to stop the President to apologize for not standing up to him, rather than issuing proxy apologies. That would be more significant.

So Jongseop: Did you expect the special prosecutor to request the death penalty?

Expected the Special Prosecutor to Request Life Imprisonment

Lee Junseok: I actually thought life imprisonment was more likely.

So Jongseop: Why is that?

Lee Junseok: Even so, the death penalty is a provocative element. Politically, the sentence requested doesn’t determine the final verdict, but many people don’t understand the difference. This shock might actually rally Yoon’s supporters even more, which was a concern.

So Jongseop: So you expected life imprisonment rather than the death penalty? Chief Judge Ji Guyon has announced the verdict will be delivered at 3 p.m. on February 19. What do you expect?

Former President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was indicted on charges of leading a rebellion related to the December 3 emergency martial law, appeared on the 13th at the sentencing hearing held in Criminal Courtroom 417 of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. The special prosecution requested the death penalty. Yonhap News

Lee Junseok: From what I’ve heard from legal professionals, opinions seem to be divided around a 20-year sentence. Those with more experience tend to expect sentences above 20 years.

So Jongseop: Do you agree?

Judge Ji Guyon Likely to Sentence to Over 20 Years

Lee Junseok: From the explanations I’ve heard, that seems reasonable. Former President Yoon was born in 1960, so he’s 67 now. Even a 20-year sentence would keep him in prison until he’s 87, which is essentially a life sentence. Even as a lifelong legal professional, Yoon’s excuses are weak because he has nothing to defend himself with. No matter how much knowledge he accumulated as a prosecutor, if he’s found guilty, it’s either life imprisonment or the death penalty. That’s why he’s making nonsensical claims like blaming those around him for not stopping him.

So Jongseop: The People Power Party’s Ethics Committee has expelled former leader Han Donghoon.

Lee Junseok: I predicted the expulsion about a week ago, but I didn’t say it publicly. No need to provoke people around Han Donghoon. But among acquaintances, I said that appointing former Namyangju Mayor Cho Gwanghan as a nominated Supreme Council member and Assemblyman Jeong Jeomsik as Policy Committee Chair was a move to prevent defections in case of a vote. They could have chosen someone less factional for the Policy Committee Chair, but since this was imminent, they picked someone with a clear stance. Jeong Jeomsik is known for his character, but he’s not a policy expert. That was a clear sign that something was being prepared. In politics, it’s important to read these signals.

So Jongseop: You made that judgment based on those appointments. Han Donghoon’s side is expected to react strongly. What do you foresee for the People Power Party?

Lee Junseok: When I woke up this morning and saw the chaos, I sent a message to someone close to Han Donghoon.

So Jongseop: What did you send?

If Han Donghoon Is Skilled, He’ll Announce the Formation of a New Party or an Independent Seoul Mayoral Run

Lee Junseok: If I were Han Donghoon, and if I were skilled, I’d do one of two things before noon today: announce the formation of a new party or declare an independent run for Seoul mayor. If I were less skilled, I’d contest the Ethics Committee’s decision through legal action. The unique thing here is that for Han Donghoon to maintain political influence, he must either show he can form a new party or place himself at the center of an election by running for Seoul mayor as an independent. Forming a new party is more difficult, because it means jumping into the election, but Han Donghoon’s side doesn’t seem to have the organization or people with party management experience. An independent Seoul mayoral run would be a game-changer. The People Power Party would clamor for consolidation, and he could gain an advantage.

So Jongseop: There’s a lot of talk about contesting the Ethics Committee’s decision in court.

Representative Lee Junseok criticized, saying, "The expulsion of former representative Han Donghoon is excessive."

Contesting the Ethics Committee’s Decision in Court Is a Weak Move That Could Reveal More Facts

Lee Junseok: Here’s how I see it. When I was disciplined by the Ethics Committee, I didn’t contest it. Challenging the Ethics Committee’s decision is risky because unless there are clear procedural violations, such as not following procedures or denying the right to explain, the court is likely to uphold the party’s autonomy. Han Donghoon is still a party member, so the only thing he can contest is the substance of the disciplinary action, but once he does that, it’s hard to change the outcome, and more undisclosed facts could come to light.He’d have to disclose who wrote what, from which IP address, and everything would be on record. As a legal professional, he knows how burdensome that is. He only posted statements about defending democracy, but I don’t think he personally posted in group chats with close associates. That suggests there’s something he’s not confident about in the facts that have come out. In my view, he needs to issue a political message by noon.

So Jongseop: What do you think of the expulsion itself?

Even If the Ethics Committee’s Claims Are True, Expulsion Is Excessive

Lee Junseok: Even if he used harsh language, is that really a reason to end someone’s political career? Expulsion is excessive.

So Jongseop: Han Donghoon’s side claims this is retaliation for supporting impeachment.

Lee Junseok: That’s similar to what Representative Cho Kuk says. He claims he’s being attacked by Yoon Seok-yeol because he pushed for prosecutorial reform. Why would anyone retaliate against Han Donghoon over Yoon Seok-yeol’s martial law or impeachment? That’s just self-importance. Han Donghoon was the crown prince of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration for months, even if he pretended otherwise. There’s nothing to retaliate for.

So Jongseop: Do you think Han Donghoon needs to apologize?

Lee Junseok: In this situation, an apology is unnecessary. Political breakthrough is most important. No matter how Han Donghoon takes it, I’m just speaking the truth. President Yoon Seok-yeol was the same way in the past. Whenever I said something, he’d reflexively oppose it, thinking I was out to harm him. Prosecutors deal with criminals, so maybe they’re conditioned to distrust testimony. I feel a similarity there. Plus, if you graduated from Seoul National University Law School, you might think no one is smarter than you.

So Jongseop: What are your thoughts on “the person Han Donghoon”?

Positive Evaluation of Han Donghoon: Strong Desire for Honor, But Lacks Ambition

Lee Junseok: I’ve always evaluated him positively, and I still do. It’s a double-edged sword, but he seems to have a strong desire for honor and a big ego. That’s not a bad thing. But ambition must accompany the desire for honor. Ambition is like something out in the wild, and that needs to be developed. I’ve worked with Yoo Seungmin for a long time, and he also values honor and principles, but at critical moments, he lacks ambition. President Lee Jaemyung, on the other hand, doesn’t care much for honor but has tremendous ambition. I think that’s what led to his success. Interestingly, among Seoul National University graduates, some have a strong desire for honor but lack ambition.

So Jongseop: Do you think Han Donghoon falls into that category?

Lee Junseok: Coincidentally, yes, to some extent.

So Jongseop: You met with Jang Donghyuk. Was it in the context of cooperating on the special prosecutor?

Lee Junseok: I suggested it online to both Cho Kuk and Jang Donghyuk. I sent polite text messages to both, apologizing for declaring it on Facebook first and asking if we could talk. Jang Donghyuk called me right away, but I missed it because I was working and called him back immediately. Jang seems to be very determined this time.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party (right), and Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, are shaking hands at the National Assembly on the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

So Jongseop: That was your impression?

Jang Donghyuk Shows Strong Determination on the Special Prosecutor Issue

Lee Junseok: Jang is frustrated not only by internal party noise but also by issues like the Kim Byungki case and the constant cycle of one issue overshadowing another. Since nothing is being resolved, he wants to fight this battle in a more organized way, and I agree with that.

So Jongseop: Could it be that Jang Donghyuk said that because he felt his own limitations?

Lee Junseok: Here’s what I think. He’s the leader of the main opposition party, so he must have a sense of responsibility. Many people have asked me if I should help raise Jang Donghyuk’s profile, but just as I always give honest advice to Han Donghoon, I’m not doing this for Jang personally. To achieve the special prosecutor, I have to objectively assess who the right partner is. To make the special prosecutor happen, it’s not about personal relationships, but about who has the authority and is the right partner for cooperation. The People Power Party member I get along with best is Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, but I can’t cooperate with him on the special prosecutor.

It’s About Choosing the Right Partner for the Special Prosecutor, Not About Jang Donghyuk Personally

So Jongseop: Representative Cho Kuk has expressed a negative stance. Do you plan to meet him separately?

Lee Junseok: I texted him politely asking if I could call, but instead of replying, he just sent a screenshot of his party’s statement. Assemblyman Shin Jangshik sent a text and complained about a lack of manners, but I was very polite. I was more surprised that Cho Kuk just sent a screenshot. I don’t think he explained the situation to his party members properly.

So Jongseop: Given the importance of cooperation with the Cho Kuk Innovation Party for the special prosecutor, shouldn’t you put more effort into reaching out to him?

Lee Junseok: That’s why we’re being as polite as possible, asking him to reconsider. We’re moving forward, but we’re always leaving the door open for Representative Cho Kuk.

So Jongseop: Are you considering hunger strikes or shaving your head as part of the push for the special prosecutor?

Not Afraid of Hunger Strikes, But Need to Build Up for Maximum Effect

Lee Junseok: I’ve done a 13-day hunger strike before. I’m not afraid of it, but for political impact, you need to build up to it. Jang Donghyuk seems eager for a strong fight, but for the public to relate, there needs to be a build-up. We need to have party legal experts from both sides meet and discuss, for example.

So Jongseop: The Democratic Party plans to pass the comprehensive special prosecutor act on the 15th.

Lee Junseok: Since the Democratic Party came to power, we’ve seen so many new things. It’s the first time the ruling party has pushed for a special prosecutor, and a “comprehensive special prosecutor” is a contradiction in terms. “Comprehensive” means general, and “special prosecutor” means special-so it’s “general special.” They’re using the so-called three major special prosecutors to investigate almost every political issue in Korea. The essence of a comprehensive special prosecutor is basically to create a new special investigation unit for themselves. Why create a special unit when they always said they hated them? It’s self-contradictory.

So Jongseop: What do you think about the People Power Party’s move to change its party name?

Lee Junseok: Now is the only time they can do it. To brand and promote a new name, you need lead time. They’re holding a contest, but I wonder if the party name really matters. In the past, they changed to “Liberty Korea Party,” which sounded very hardline conservative, but it didn’t seem to help. If they change the name now, it’ll probably include “freedom.” You need a sense for this. When you go out on the street and say “right-wing” or “freedom,” you have to see how you come across. But when I say this, people come at me to argue.

So Jongseop: What’s your evaluation of Lee Hyehun, the nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget?

President Lee Jaemyung Will Appoint Lee Hyehun No Matter What

Lee Junseok: President Lee Jaemyung must be thinking hard. Many say he chose Lee Hyehun for political effect and balance, but I see something else. When President Moon Jaein was handing out money during COVID, he later appointed Deputy Prime Minister Hong Namki, who tried to tighten spending. Hong Namki tried not to spend money. Now, someone needs to play that role. With the exchange rate rising, spending must be tightened, and even though they talk about expansionary fiscal policy, they need to cut back.

So Jongseop: So, someone is needed internally to play that role?

Lee Junseok: People with Democratic Party ties often use budget negotiations to extract benefits, so someone with weaker ties to the Democratic Party is needed. Bureaucrats have their own weaknesses. They needed someone who wasn’t a bureaucrat but fit these constraints. Lee Hyehun isn’t particularly personable, which will make it hard for Democratic Party lawmakers to ask for budget favors for their districts.

Lee Hyehun, nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, is receiving questions from reporters as he arrives at the hearing preparation office set up at the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

So Jongseop: Will she pass the confirmation hearing? There have been many allegations.

Lee Junseok: Floor Leader Chun Haram is on the Strategy and Finance Committee and is getting lots of tips. Some seem to be coming through the Reform New Party rather than going directly to the Democratic Party. Some of what I’ve heard could be problematic.

So Jongseop: Will President Lee Jaemyung appoint her?

Lee Junseok: Whether she passes the hearing isn’t the issue-she’ll have a tough time, but I think she’ll definitely be appointed. That’s the plan, and Lee Hyehun probably got a firm promise before accepting.

So Jongseop: Let’s talk about the Reform New Party’s plans for the local elections. Recently, you made headlines for creating a system to run in local elections for just 990,000 won.

Reform New Party Effectively Attempts Free Nominations in Local Elections

Lee Junseok: What do we have? We have to use media and other means to promote ourselves. The 990,000 won isn’t money we pocket. It’s just the cost for a promotional package. The nomination screening fee and special party dues are zero. So, it’s essentially free nominations. Big parties collect hundreds of thousands or even up to 10 billion won in special party dues during nominations. It feels like a business. We’ve cut out all the unnecessary parts.

So Jongseop: The screening is done online too?

Lee Junseok: The screening committee members leave individual comments online, then meet to decide. That way, there’s no cost. We’re also planning to do interviews via video call. For example, if someone lives in Gangwon Province, they’d usually have to travel to Seoul or another city for an interview, losing a day or two and incurring costs. If you have a job or are raising kids, you’re excluded from politics. We want to change that, and that’s why we’re trying something new.

For banners, sometimes you see people putting up a lot of apartment sales banners. The cost per banner is about 5,000 to 7,000 won. Under the election law, the reimbursement rate is about 130,000 to 150,000 won per banner. For the Reform New Party, I print banners in Dongtan and put them up myself with a ladder. It costs about 10,000 won each. Ordinary politicians pay 100,000 to 150,000 won per banner. That’s about a tenth of the cost.

So Jongseop: You said you’d recruit 4,000 politicians in 100 days. Do you think it’s possible?

Hoping for Support from Young People and Women with Career Gaps

Lee Junseok: We’ve already gathered about 200 to 300 people. It’s still early, but if people see that what the Reform New Party is saying is really possible, I hope many capable young people and women with career gaps will join. Look at politics so far. In cases like Kang Sunwoo and Kim Kyung, it’s been too tough for capable women to enter. They have to serve as aides to lawmakers’ wives, pay money, and deal with people with bad tempers. The Reform New Party doesn’t have any of that. People will eventually realize how important that is. We’re non-hierarchical, and as long as you have ability, you can take on the challenge. I think it’s good for college students and young professionals. Here’s a secret about local elections.

So Jongseop: A secret? What is it?

It’s Easiest for People in Their Early 20s to Run in Local Elections

Lee Junseok: It’s actually easiest for people in their early 20s to run. Why? Because they still live in their hometowns with their friends. When young people ask if they can run for district or city council, I ask, “Did you go to high school in your current neighborhood?” If so, your friends and their families are still there, so you start with 2,000 to 3,000 votes. The threshold for winning a district council seat is about 6,000 votes. It’s much easier to rebuild your network with old friends. If you’re in your 50s, you don’t have friends nearby. If you run a business, your contacts are business-related, and if you work for a company, you don’t know your neighbors. For those in their early 20s, who still have school and regional ties, it’s much easier to run.

So Jongseop: One last question. Will you nominate candidates for metropolitan mayors?

Lee Junseok: We already have candidates lined up for Sejong, Daejeon, Chungnam, Seoul, Incheon, and Busan. We’ll probably have one in Daegu too.

So Jongseop: Will you go all the way? There’s ongoing talk about cooperation or alliances with the People Power Party.

Lee Junseok: I don’t care about the rumors. The Reform New Party is a party that always goes its own way and proves its results on its own. That’s how I see it.

So Jongseop: We’ll end here. Thank you for joining us today.

Lee Junseok: Thank you.