Independent presidential candidate Han Duck-soo met with Lee Nak-yon, the senior adviser of the New Future Democratic Party (former Prime Minister), on the 6th to establish what is called a "constitutional amendment alliance" and agreed to cooperate in promoting constitutional amendments. Han stated, "I will devote myself to constitutional amendments and step down in three years," which Lee responded to, raising attention on whether this will lead to a full-scale "big tent for constitutional amendments."
On the same day, Han had lunch with Lee at the Conference House Dalgaebi in Jung-gu, Seoul, and agreed on the "need for constitutional amendments" to resolve the political crisis.
In his opening remarks, Han said, "I really feel like we're in a critical crisis," and noted, "If we do not fundamentally change through constitutional amendments, I have a sense of the problem that we might fall into a country unable to sustain the Miracle on the Han River."
He added, "The recent revengeful remarks about impeaching the Chief Justice and Supreme Court Justices are acts aimed at destroying our country’s rule of law and liberal democracy," condemning it as "truly a violent act that disrupts the constitutional order."
Regarding the "meaksanism" proposed by Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, he criticized, "The title seems very good, but looking at the content, there’s nothing that can be done," adding, "If such a policy is adopted, it would not be meaksanism but would likely result in a complete descent into hell."
In response, Lee noted, "While watching the culmination of crazy politics unfolding in just a few days, I felt a serious sense of crisis that this might turn us into a monster country."
Lee stated, "I completely agree with Han's remark about running a three-year transitional government to initiate the constitutional amendment and the launch of the 7th Republic."
He particularly expressed disappointment with what is happening in the People Power Party these days, stating, "I have no personal connection, but I was surprised that a fellow university student could change so much. I want to believe they will get on the right track before too much time passes."
This is interpreted as a reference targeting Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, who is in a testy standoff with Han over the unification issue.
Regarding the Democratic Party, he criticized, "They are viciously and madly destroying the judiciary and trying to seize judicial power," adding, "They are even attempting methods used by dictators in Venezuela, Hungary, and Poland."
He continued, "I hope we do not engage in the reckless gamble of taking the national system hostage to protect one person," stating, "No one has the right to put the country in danger."
Furthermore, after the lunch meeting, Han spoke with reporters, expressing his belief that the concerns raised by Kim Moon-soo regarding being "not recognized as a candidate by the party" will be resolved in a good direction.
Han said, "This (unification) issue is not a matter for a specific political faction. It is a matter of whether our people can live comfortably in a normal country and stabilize the economy and livelihood while strengthening diplomatic security."
He added, "I believe that the efforts to create a new Republic of Korea through united cooperation via constitutional amendments will definitely succeed," saying, "Former Prime Minister Lee was very worried, but I believe this will be resolved in a good direction."
In response to a question about the "last line of defense for unification with Kim," he said, "I think this issue will be resolved well, so I don't see any meaning in setting a particular last line of defense," adding, "Defining a last line of defense could rather complicate the unification efforts."