Kim Moonsoo Sends 'Unification Overture', but Lee Junseok Dismisses Possibility

Kim and Lee Attend Debate Together on May 19
Kim Moonsoo: "Yesterday's Debate MVP Was Lee Junseok"
Lee Junseok: "I Have No Interest in Unification Talks"

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, extended a strong overture to Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party presidential candidate, who is being discussed as a potential candidate for a "unified conservative bloc" on May 19. In contrast, Lee dismissed the possibility, stating, "I have no interest in the discussion of unification itself."

During his greeting at the "Debate for Walking with the Underprivileged" held at Seoul City Hall that day, Kim commented on the TV debate held on May 18, saying, "My supporters said yesterday's MVP was Lee Junseok, not Kim Moonsoo," and added, "I learn a lot from meeting with candidate Lee, who is exceptionally skilled in debates in many ways," praising Lee.

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, and Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party presidential candidate, are conversing at the Seoul Debate for Walking with the Underprivileged held at Seoul City Hall on May 19, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He continued, "Candidate Lee was once the leader of the People Power Party, to which I belong," and added, "He knows more than I do about the party's policies, ideology, and specific figures." Kim also attributed responsibility for the past disciplinary incident involving Lee to the party, saying, "Now, because of the party's mistakes, Lee is struggling outside, but after enduring hardships, he is achieving great success."

Kim further emphasized, "Because Lee and I share the same views, there was no prior arrangement between us," and "We never even had a phone call, but because our thinking aligns, we always move in the same policy direction." Kim also told Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon and Lee, "Being together with Mayor Oh, whom I respect and like the most, and candidate Lee, makes me feel as comfortable as if I were at home."

After the debate, Kim announced his youth pledges at Cheonggye Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, and when asked by reporters if he had any plans to persuade Lee, who is negative about unification, he replied, "Even now, I don't consider us to be from different parties," and reiterated, "We share the same thoughts and policies, but we are separated because our party made mistakes."

Despite Kim's overtures, Lee maintained his position of not pursuing unification. After the debate, Lee told reporters, "I have no doubt about Kim's sincerity or his goodwill in trying to unite the conservative bloc for the election," but drew a clear line by saying, "I have no interest in the discussion of unification itself."

Lee also added, "For the past three years, whenever I achieved significant results, they would say, 'That guy is costing us votes,' and kicked me out, but now that they're saying something different, it must be a change of season. That doesn't mean my political stance will change."

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