Ye Young-guk: "Infinite Responsibility as Party Leader... Will Create Anti-Establishment Politics"

Ye Young-guk Hints at Presidential Run in Press Conference One Month After Party Leader Inauguration
"Justice Party Will Not Remain a 'Salt Party' or 'Lighthouse Party' but Will Challenge with Ambition to Govern"
Aiming to Become a Major Platform Against Privileged Politics and Complete the Presidential Race

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] "The anti-establishment politics of myself and the Justice Party will never be limited to the roles of a 'salt party' or a 'lighthouse party'; we will have ambitions to take power and challenge for it."

Justice Party leader Yeo Young-guk made this statement at a press conference marking one month since his inauguration on the 28th, expressing his intention to complete the next year's presidential election by saying, "Although our livelihood is poor, our dreams are not."

After the sexual harassment incident involving former leader Kim Jong-chul, the Justice Party showed responsibility by not fielding a candidate in the April 7 by-elections. Although it was a difficult decision for a political party, it was made based on the judgment that such sincerity was necessary to restore the broken trust of party members and the public who have believed in and supported the Justice Party.

Since taking office with heavy responsibilities on March 24, Leader Yeo has focused on gauging public sentiment, starting with a nationwide tour aimed at dismantling the "real estate speculation republic."

On this day, Leader Yeo reflected on the first month of his tenure, stating, "Politics in Yeouido is still busy distorting public sentiment, and the two major parties have engaged in desperate mutual slander and negative games, running counter to the public mood."

Leader Yeo said, "Although we passed the fast-track election law and prosecution reform law in line with the cause of reform, what returned was satellite parties that filled their own power," adding, "The Justice Party will break away from the ridiculous frame where reactionaries falsely claim conservatism and conservatives claim progressivism, and from the fictitious political confrontation of camps." He continued, "We will not be satisfied with the 'Death Note' or remain at the 'Communication Office briefing,'" emphasizing, "We will become a bigger platform for anti-establishment politics and challenge the next year's presidential election."

On this day, Leader Yeo indirectly hinted at running for the presidency.

In the Q&A session following the press conference, when asked about his intention to run for president, he said, "I believe I must take unlimited responsibility as party leader," subtly expressing his intention to run. Leader Yeo mentioned, "As party leader, the Justice Party's presidential strategy is to 'build an anti-establishment political front,' 'present an anti-establishment political vision,' and 'produce a candidate who will lead anti-establishment politics in the presidential election,'" adding, "We plan to finalize the policy through party-wide discussions." He also added that it is his role as party leader to attract public interest from the candidate selection process onward.

Leader Yeo said, "I intend to approach the (political reform issues) in a way that can gather the will to dismantle the two-party establishment politics." He added, "I will firmly lay the foundation for an anti-establishment political coalition and the reorganization of new politics in Korean politics."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.