On the 15th, the camp of presidential candidate Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party criticized the ongoing 'big tent' theory emerging within and outside the People Power Party as 'old political engineering.' They emphasized, "Lee Jun-seok will go his own way."
The term big tent refers to a strategy in which politically diverse factions unite to nominate a single candidate in elections such as the presidential election.
In a situation where candidate Lee is consistently mentioned as one of the influential figures who should seek unification in the big tent, he clearly expressed his intention to 'not participate.'
This action contrasts with the recent comments from influential candidates in the People Power Party, such as former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, and lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who have been voicing the need to form an 'anti-Lee Jae-myung big tent' to prevent the election of former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung.
On the same day, Director General Lee Dong-hoon of the Reform Party made a statement saying, "Yet again, the so-called big tent theory centered around anti-Lee is rising. Candidates of the People Power Party, as well as politicians remaining in the third zone, got involved. Although the name has changed, the old habits remain."
Director General Lee stated, "Candidate Lee has already declared an independent course, having registered as a presidential candidate first and repeatedly expressed his intention to complete his term. Yet, constantly mentioning the big tent and unification is nothing different from political stalking."
He continued, "The big tent is merely an attempt to gather the remnants of past hegemony to reassemble power," adding, "A negative value like 'anti-Lee Jae-myung' cannot lead to generational change."
Director General Lee emphasized, "Lee Jun-seok and the Reform Party have enough confidence to win," stating, "The Reform Party is not a party that emerged to stand against anyone; we have come forth to present and pioneer our direction. What is needed now is not 'who to block' but a clear vision on 'where to go and how to get there.'"