The Crisis Zone: Where Will Lee Nak-yeon and Lee Jun-seok Run?

Interest is focused on the constituencies where Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, and Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the New Future Party, will run in the April 10 general election. This is based on the judgment that the declaration of candidacy by each party leader could be a turning point to reverse the low approval ratings following the collapse of the third-zone big tent.

Leader Lee Jun-seok is currently seriously considering running in constituencies such as Nowon in Seoul, Daegu·Gyeongbuk (TK), and Hwaseong in Gyeonggi Province. The possibility of running in his own constituency, Nowon, is gradually decreasing. This is because it is considered less symbolic compared to the southern Gyeonggi metropolitan area and the TK region.

Recently, Dongtan in Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi Province, has been cited as a likely constituency. Leader Lee himself hinted at running on the premise of redistricting in the Dongtan area. If the redistricting of Dongtan 1 and 2 New Towns is confirmed, Hwaseong will be divided into Hwaseong-eul and Hwaseong-jeong. If Leader Lee runs in Hwaseong, it could create synergy with Yang Hyang-ja, the party floor leader and fellow Samsung alumnus who has declared candidacy in Yongin-si Gap, and incumbent Lee Won-wook in Hwaseong, within the southern Gyeonggi 'semiconductor belt.' A party official said, "It is also a positive factor for Leader Lee that a large number of core supporters in their 30s reside there."

Reform New Party Withdraws Merger
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporters Han Sang-gyun and Shin Jun-hee = Lee Nak-yeon, co-representative of the Reform New Party, declared the withdrawal of the merger on the 20th.
On the left is co-representative Lee Nak-yeon holding a press conference to withdraw the merger at the New Future Party headquarters in Yeouido on the same day, and on the right is co-representative Lee Jun-seok holding a press conference at the National Assembly one hour later. 2024.2.20
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TK is a region pointed out by Kim Jong-in, chairman of the Reform New Party's nomination management committee. Chairman Kim emphasized, "If (Leader Lee) is recognized as a leader who can promise the future in Gyeongbuk and Daegu, he can be elected."

Lee Nak-yeon, co-leader of the New Future Party, is seriously considering running in Gwangju. Initially, he was not planning to run in the general election, but shifted toward candidacy with the founding of the new party. On the morning of the 29th, Leader Lee said on BBS Radio, "If I run, I will prioritize Gwangju." Regarding the timing of his candidacy announcement, he said, "There are not many days left," indicating that the announcement is imminent. The problem is the sentiment in Honam. There is significant disappointment in the region that supported Lee Nak-yeon during the 2021 presidential primary. His departure from the Democratic Party and the resulting 'traitor' frame also make it uncertain whether Leader Lee can secure victory in this general election.

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