Reform Party presidential candidate Lee Jun-seok criticized on the 17th, saying, 'It is unlikely that the appearance of Yoo Seok-yeol, former president, asking to leave the People Power Party, and making a great decision will affect the moderate voters.'
After speaking at the 'Young Doctors Forum' held in Coex, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Lee noted, 'I see Yoo Seok-yeol's political process that sent South Korean politics to 'hell' as a lesson in many ways.'
Lee continued, 'In this situation, what is Yoo Seok-yeol without People Power Party? It looks like the Liberty Unification Party,' and added, 'Whether Yoo's departure leads to a new culture within People Power Party or whether it serves as an opportunity for the Liberty Unification Party to reemerge will be observed by the public.'
Lee commented on the presence of Kim Jong-in, former chairperson of the People Power Party, as a speaker, saying, 'He is receiving considerable advice and support.' He expressed his hope that Kim, as one of the elders, would provide many good insights, noting, 'There have been many instances where the political situation flowed as Kim chairperson described, so the public will likely expect that.'
On the same day, Lee criticized former President Yoo Seok-yeol's medical school expansion policy and began efforts to secure support from the medical community. He met with both prospective and current doctors and stated, 'I firmly believe that we should not expand medical schools,' adding, 'It is difficult to understand why expansion is necessary in the medical field when a population decline is occurring in all areas of South Korea.'
He added, 'Due to Yoo Seok-yeol's 'medical martial law,' medical students likely feel they cannot even exercise basic rights as students, and that residents are unable to resign freely. I believe we must actively fight for basic rights.'