Lee Jun-seok, Reform Party presidential candidate, noted on the 29th regarding the possibility of forming a coalition with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is reportedly close to announcing his candidacy, that "the likelihood of political dialogue advancing is low."
On the same day, the candidate visited Korea Aerospace University in Deogyang District, Goyang, and after having a meal with students, met with reporters. When asked whether he would be willing to meet if the acting prime minister reached out after resigning to run for president, he responded accordingly.
The candidate said, "The prime minister and I have had a personal relationship, having contacted each other and shared meals even before the transfer of power during the martial law, so I don't think I would see it as something special if I receive such contact."
He then explained, "Avoiding a meeting would not be polite as a young person, and if the prime minister were to suggest such a meeting, I could instead reach out in a manner that strongly questions why he is making such a choice."
In response to the question, "Have you had any actual contact regarding the big tent, including Prime Minister Han?" he said, "I have friends among the People Power Party members and people I am personally close to, so I do talk about what to do if such a situation arises," adding that, "I have consistently stated that I have no intention of participating in a big tent, small tent, or even a golden tent."
The candidate also mentioned at a foreign press club meeting the day before that, "If there are people who can discuss South Korea's future, I would join even a small tent, but I will not participate in a golden tent with those whose views do not align with mine."
This is interpreted as a sign of his intention not to participate in a "candidate unification" that is only promoted under the pretext of blocking the election of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate.