'Shindang Party Formation Rumor' Lee Jun-seok: "I Have Not Decided to Break Up"

Political Circle Reacts to Former Representative Lee's Tearful Press Conference
Speculation on Departure from People Power Party and New Party Formation
Directly Denies at Policy Debate on the 18th

Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok drew a line regarding rumors of his resignation and the formation of a new party.

On the morning of the 18th, at the 'Asia Forum 21' policy debate held by Daegu and Gyeongbuk journalists, Lee said in response to related questions, "I have not decided to part ways with the party."

Earlier, after Lee shed tears demanding a "renewal of state governance" at a press conference in the National Assembly Communication Office on the 16th, rumors of a new party formation ignited in political circles. In an interview with SBS Radio the previous day, Lee responded to questions about the new party formation rumors by saying, "Interpretation is free," which fueled speculation.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The political sphere also interpreted that Lee would at least show signs of leaving the party. On the morning of the same day, Ahn Min-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, wrote on Facebook, "Lee Jun-seok and Yoo Seung-min have decided to part ways," adding, "Lee Jun-seok shed tears and provoked President Yoon Seok-yeol. Having decided to part ways, the next step is to gain justification and momentum for forming a new party." Shin Pyung, a lawyer once called President Yoon's mentor, also said in a CBS Radio interview that day, "The hearts and souls of former lawmaker Yoo and former leader Lee have already left the People Power Party."

On the same day, Lee said, "Considering the efforts I have made over the past year and a half, legitimacy had already been secured regardless of any choice I made since a year ago," but added, "Nevertheless, I asked the National Assembly to lift the president's curse as the first condition for conservatives to win because I am thinking about how conservatives can win."

He also denied the possibility of running in Daegu, which had been rumored by some. Lee said, "This time as well, my goal is to work hard in Nowon District as I have done in my previous challenges," but added, "If some big-bellied man in Daegu sits and urges hardline conservatives while making strange remarks to the media, and if running in the metropolitan area becomes meaningless, then I will come out to confront that person."

As a solution for elections in the metropolitan area, he demanded that "Daegu must change." Lee said, "I ironically believe the solution for metropolitan area elections lies in Daegu changing," and urged, "Declare that you will embrace a form of conservatism that can win by gaining support from the metropolitan area, the younger generation, and the moderate faction."

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