Lee Jun-seok "Mutually Complementary Alliance with Lee Nak-yeon's New Party"

"Want to Create a Party Run by Sane People"
"High Possibility of Running in Nowon, but Also Considering Daegu"

Lee Jun-seok, former leader of the People Power Party, who is pushing for the establishment of a provisional 'Reform New Party,' expressed a positive stance on the speculation of an alliance with Lee Nak-yeon, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "I believe it would be a complementary union."

In an interview with SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' on the 2nd, former leader Lee Jun-seok said, "I do not personally know former leader Lee Nak-yeon," but added, "It could be that our minds do not align, but conversely, if the human side connects, other aspects could actually become complementary to each other." He continued, "I am somewhat curious which of the two it will be," and added, "Since he has lived a different life from mine, I need to get to know him well first."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the speculation about running in Daegu, he acknowledged the possibility. Former leader Lee Jun-seok explained the background of holding the new party founding declaration press conference at a galbi restaurant in Nowon-gu, Seoul, saying, "It could be seen as trying to leave Nowon-gu, or it could be interpreted as trying to do well in Nowon-gu; it depends on interpretation," and said, "I have not ruled out the Daegu candidacy card."

However, he also left open the possibility of running in Nowon-gu, saying, "Although I declared my withdrawal from the party in Nowon-gu this time, when I meet residents of Nowon-gu, I always say that the possibility of running in Nowon-gu is currently the highest."

Regarding the goal of founding the new party, he said, "I want to create a party run by people who have their wits about them," and added, "I think it is hard to consider the People Power Party, which President Yoon Seok-youl has stirred up here and there, as a conservative party." He pointed out, "For the first time, a president unrelated to industrialization came to power in a conservative regime, and for the first time, the Democratic Party fielded a presidential candidate unrelated to democratization. As a result, they are making very ideologically strong statements amid the confusion."

Regarding why he did not take the role of the founding committee chairman himself, he explained, "Whenever there is even a slight opportunity, I try to give younger politicians the chance to gain experience," and said, "I appointed Cheon Ha-ram and Lee Gi-in as co-chairmen of the founding committee. Both have worked with me in politics so far and have sufficient capabilities to take on that role."

He emphasized, "Just because I have a bit more recognition, if I sit in the front seat, those people cannot build their careers, and that is something I continue to uphold as a principle."

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