Lee Seok-hyun: "Im Jong-seok promised to leave the party with Lee Nak-yeon... Seems to be considering next year's party leadership"

"Seems like planning to run for party leader next year"

Former Blue House Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok accepted the Democratic Party's decision to exclude him from the nomination (cut-off) and hinted at remaining in the party, while Lee Seok-hyun, advisor to Saeroun Mirae, expressed surprise, saying, "Last night at 7 PM, Saeroun Mirae leader Lee Nak-yeon called Im Jong-seok and he promised to leave the party."

Im Jong-seok, former Chief of Staff at the Blue House (left), Lee Nak-yeon, leader of Saeroun Mirae.

On the 4th, Advisor Lee appeared on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal' and said, "(Former Chief Im was) very positive about the alliance with Saeroun Mirae," adding, "So Lee Nak-yeon postponed his announcement to run in Gwangju on the 3rd. Then Lee Nak-yeon and former Chief Im met and had a very encouraging and enthusiastic agreement."

He continued, "There was an expectation that if the pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in) faction moved, there could be a tectonic shift in the Democratic Party," and said, "But this morning, (former Chief Im) did not answer calls. Looking at his Facebook, there was an article saying he 'accepts the party's decision' and will remain in the Democratic Party."

Regarding the background of former Chief Im's choice to stay in the party, he interpreted, "There is speculation that he might stay in the party to run for party leader in next year's party convention," and "It seems he is thinking of trying something within the Democratic Party for now."

Additionally, Advisor Lee expressed regret over former Chief Im's shift to remain in the party. He said, "We had expected to move at least 5 to 10 seats, and if Im Jong-seok joined, it could have grown significantly," adding, "We thought there could be a tectonic shift, but that has been broken."

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