Seol Hoon, Party Leader Candidacy Declaration "Waited for Lee Jae-myung Not to Run... Gaeddal Must Make a Bold Decision"

"I Wouldn't Have Run If Lee Jae-myung Hadn't"
Declared Candidacy One Hour After Lee at the Same Location
"Fandom Politics Has Too Many Harms, Must Consider Carefully"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] On the 17th, Seol Hoon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "I waited until the end for Lee Jae-myung not to run for party leader," adding, "(He) announced his candidacy today. After seeing the announcement, I also declared my candidacy."

At a press conference for the party leader candidacy held at the National Assembly Communication Office on the same day, Seol stated during a Q&A with reporters, "If Lee does not run for party leader, I said I would not run either for the sake of party peace and revival."

Seol, a five-term senior lawmaker, served as co-chairman of the campaign committee for former party leader Lee Nak-yeon during last year's party presidential primary. He has played the role of a sniper, focusing criticism on Lee's 'judicial risk.' On this day as well, Seol held a press conference at the same National Assembly Communication Office one hour after Lee announced his candidacy for party leader.

In his previously released candidacy declaration, Seol indirectly criticized Lee, saying, "Despite consecutive defeats in the presidential and local elections, there has been only avoidance of responsibility without reflection or innovation."

Seol said, "The party is in crisis to the point where even talks of a split are emerging. It would be irresponsible to remain silent," adding, "My role is to unite the party as one, ensure victory in the next general election, and lay the foundation for winning the presidential election."

Regarding a question about 'Gaeddal (Daughters of Reform),' he said, "While fandom politics has its advantages, it also has many drawbacks," and added, "This advisor should carefully consider and make a decisive decision to organize it himself."

On the possibility of unification among non-Lee Jae-myung faction candidates against the prevailing 'Eodaemyeong (Anyway, the leader is Lee Jae-myung)' trend, he responded, "Since the cut-off will narrow the candidates down to three, won't it naturally be resolved?"

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