Lee Jun-seok, the Reform Party presidential candidate, recently criticized the series of support declarations for Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung by former members of the Reform Party, saying, "It’s not surprising. It's a preordained move aimed at broadcasting or nominations."
Previously, former Reform Party members Kim Yong-nam and Moon Byeong-ho declared their support for candidate Lee Jae-myung.
After visiting the scene of the Kumho Tire fire in Gwangju's Gwangsan District that afternoon, the candidate said, "Many people came to lobby former Chairperson Kim Jong-in and me for nominations during the founding process of the Reform Party," adding, "Those who came with such purposes are showing erratic behavior. It's just the everyday nature of politics."
He further stated, "It’s meaningless for candidate Lee Jae-myung to say he embraces the conservative camp by gathering such people," adding, "It originally will not be forward-looking conservatism."
Regarding the constitutional amendment pledges made by candidate Kim Moon-soo (four-year term) and candidate Lee Jae-myung (four-year re-election), he noted, "The Reform Party is also expected to reveal its stance on constitutional amendments soon."
However, he remarked, "Just because a person like President Yoon Suk-yeol is on a five-year term does not mean that they enacted martial law, nor does being on a four-year re-election ensure better governance," urging, "Ultimately, please pay more attention to the qualifications of the presidential candidates."
To voters in Gwangju, he appealed, "Candidate Lee Jae-myung said in Gyeongbuk that 'a party monopolizing for too long does not advance.' If this is true, it is now time for Honam to diversify its investments."
The candidate emphasized, "I have heard that Lee Jae-myung is a candidate with many unsatisfactory aspects in Gwangju," adding, "I will inherit the spirit of Roh Moo-hyun, which is valued in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, and challenge without shying away from difficult processes."