Lee Jeong-hyeon, former leader of the Saenuri Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party), said on the 8th, “If Lee Jeong-hyeon from Honam becomes the presidential candidate for the People Power Party and becomes president, it will be both an emotional drama and a miracle of the non-mainstream,” as he declared his candidacy for the primary for the 21st presidential election.
On that day, the former leader held a press conference at the National Assembly and said, “I am running in this election to create the last presidential election of the sixth Republic.”
The former leader, originally from Honam, entered the National Assembly as a proportional representative in the 18th general election and was continuously elected in Suncheon during the 19th and 20th elections. He served as the Senior Secretary to the President for Political Affairs and the Senior Secretary to the President for Public Relations during the Park Geun-hye administration.
The former leader said regarding his decision to run, “I believe our politics is hurting many citizens,” and noted, “I want to participate in creating a country centered on the people, with a clear understanding that the president is someone who has been entrusted by the citizens, not just someone with power.”
He continued, “If I become president, I will effectively allow the constitutional amendment proposal, which can only be initiated by the president and the National Assembly, to be initiated by the citizens through a national petition signed by 10 million people,” and added, “I will create a national constitution that embodies the will of the people and is driven by the people.”
He also promised, “I will work with the political community to improve the electoral system and proportional representation system to end regionalism, as well as to publicly evaluate the fulfillment of policy pledges,” and said he would discuss operating a Swiss-style sequential leadership system with the ruling party to eradicate ranking and factional politics as well as the practice of favoritism.
Regarding the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-youl, he remarked, “It is something that must be taken painfully and reflected upon, but that part has become history,” and noted, “The Constitutional Court has made a ruling, a presidential election has taken place, and I believe that the final judgment of the people remains.”
Concerning the party's primary rules, he stated, “I hope that many diverse people can participate. I believe the primary system that Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo mentioned, the 'Miss Trot' method, is desirable,” but noted, “However, it is not appropriate to require participants in the primary to pay too large an expense.”
The former leader aimed at the youth by stating, “I will pass opportunities on to the future generation,” and emphasized, “In the United States, the White House spokesperson is a 27-year-old, and in advanced countries, ministers in their 30s have already appeared. If I become president, I will ensure that citizens often encounter ministers in their 20s and prime ministers in their 30s.”