Kim Dong-yeon: "I met Yoon Seok-yeol, but he hasn't seriously considered constitutional reform or political change"

Regarding Yoon and Ahn's Unification: "Isn't It Election-Minded?"
"I Allied with Lee but Did Not Merge"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and Kim Dong-yeon, the leader of the New Wave, are holding hands and walking together after meeting at a cafe in Mapo, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 1st. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Kim Dong-yeon, leader of the New Wave party, explained why he chose Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, over Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party presidential candidate, as his unification partner. He revealed that he had contacted Yoon in February but felt that Yoon lacked deep consideration for constitutional reform and political change.

In an interview on the morning of the 7th with CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show," Kim said, "I received requests from candidates of both major parties to meet, and I presented the four most important reasons why I pursue politics." He added, "I indicated that if they were progressive about these alternatives, I would meet and have a dialogue."

The "four alternatives" Kim proposed included ▲constitutional reform such as restructuring the power system ▲political change including election law reform ▲establishment of a new decision-making system for real estate and education issues ▲and the creation of a Joint Policy Promotion Committee.

Regarding this, he said, "I met both candidates around mid to late February," and pointed out, "Yoon did not seem to be deeply considering these issues."

He continued, "I met Lee Jae-myung three times, and he was very proactive, progressive, and consistent on these matters."

Kim explained, "At our first meeting, I did not believe in his commitment, but through three meetings, I confirmed his consistency and determination to push forward." He added, "Lee expressed his will by saying, 'The Democratic Party must change. We want to change.'"

CEO Kim is holding a press conference on 'Political Change and Coalition Government' at the election campaign office in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 2nd. / Photo by Yonhap News

He also stated, "Our alliance was based on shared values and vision to solve problems, not on dividing benefits or positions." He emphasized, "Previously, both parties asked me to participate in the general election, Seoul mayoral race, and presidential primary, and last year, there was even a prime minister proposal, but I rejected all."

Regarding the 'opposition candidate unification' between Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and Yoon, Kim said, "It seemed more like a practical or election-conscious alliance or a division of something rather than a union based on values or philosophy." He criticized, "I allied with Lee but did not merge, and I refused to merge."

Meanwhile, Kim withdrew from the presidential race on the 2nd and declared his support for Lee. At a press conference held at the New Wave campaign office in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, he said, "I am stepping down from the presidential candidacy today. It was not an easy decision for me."

He continued, "Kim Dong-yeon and New Wave will not stop leading and monitoring the spirit of breaking vested interests," and asked supporters to understand that "this was a difficult decision made to realize the values and philosophy we pursue."

He concluded, "We will fan the spark of breaking vested political interests into a wildfire and work tirelessly until hopeful and unifying politics bloom in the field where the vested political structure has burned down."

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