Kim Jong-in: "Lee Nak-yeon's Candidacy Will Only Draw Criticism... Physiologically Incompatible with Lee Jun-seok for Merger"

Former People Power Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in analyzed that "Lee Jun-seok's Reform New Party and Lee Nak-yeon's new party are physiologically incompatible parties." This analysis was made while he was regarded as the right person to oversee the nominations of the Reform New Party.

Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

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On the 16th, Kim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Park Jae-hong's One Round Match' and diagnosed the Reform New Party, which has recently undergone a physical merger and is experiencing internal turmoil, saying, "Co-chairman Lee Jun-seok seemed to be leading the Reform New Party well in his own way, but because there were so many calls to 'unite,' they suddenly merged," and predicted, "It will take some time for the harmonization process to occur."

"Isn't it that people who do not fit the identity have also mixed in? If they do not overcome this wisely, nothing will work," he said. "The third zone parties and new political forces should have a future-oriented character and be able to explain their justification to the public in detail, but looking at the third zone now, it has actually become a stage where old politicians are running amok," he analyzed.

Regarding Lee Jun-seok's candidacy for the general election, he said, "He must become a member of the National Assembly to continue his political life; if he cannot enter the National Assembly, he cannot continue in politics," and recommended his candidacy area as "He should go to his hometown. (His parents' hometown) Daegu or the Gyeongbuk area."

Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok (from the right), Hope of Korea representative Yang Hyang-ja, former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, and New Choice co-representative Geum Tae-seop
[Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@]

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About co-chairman Lee Nak-yeon, who is considering running in a constituency, he advised, "Lee Nak-yeon has done everything he could as a worldly power. As a senior, he should play a role in supporting the young Lee Jun-seok. If he runs in the general election somewhere, he will only get unnecessary criticism," and added, "In fact, how a politician finishes is the most important thing. If you finish poorly, regretting it later is meaningless."

Regarding the 'Kim Jong-in comeback theory,' he drew a line, saying, "I have never thought about it at all."

The Reform New Party has recently undergone a physical merger and is experiencing internal turmoil. Four forces with different political orientations have formed a big tent, but they have failed to narrow policy differences among party members and supporters. There are concerns that if internal disputes continue with about 60 days left before the general election, the third zone big tent could collapse in an instant.

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