Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok said on the 19th, "I will be the one and only winning card to stop the era of Lee Jae-myung."
On the morning of the same day, Lee Jun-seok held a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul and stated, "It is a terrifying thought to entrust the future of Korea to someone who thinks we can just sit back and do nothing even if China and Taiwan fight."
During the first TV debate for the presidential candidates the previous day, Lee Jun-seok targeted Lee Jae-myung, asking, "Isn't your statement on 'xie xie' too pro-China?" This referred to Lee Jae-myung's mention of 'xie xie' (thank you in Chinese) during a past campaign in Daegu.
Lee Jun-seok also pressed, "Are you saying you would intervene if an invasion issue arises in the cross-strait (Taiwan-China) relationship, or not?" Lee Jae-myung replied, "When the situation develops, we must judge flexibly, and the standard for judgment must be the national interest of Korea."
Lee Jun-seok expressed concern, saying, "Many people must have witnessed through yesterday's debate what kind of world we would face if Lee Jae-myung is elected."
He further pointed out, "Without specific measures, simply saying 'it will be fine' reflects Lee Jae-myung's characteristic irresponsibility and complacency, a response of extreme denial when someone points out a flawed assumption, and when at a loss for words, deriding or getting angry with 'so what?' like a tyrant."
Lee Jun-seok also targeted People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo.
He noted, "You must have directly felt through the debate yesterday how disconnected candidate Kim's thoughts and experiences are from reality," adding, "The strategist of the conservative camp has disappeared. We confirmed this over the past three years, swayed by political novice Yoon Seok-youl, and it ultimately culminated in the lament of 'it's all over' even within the party due to the events of December 3."
Additionally, Lee Jun-seok asserted, "We must push aside the generation of outdated movements and double standards, and a new generation equipped with international awareness and capable of leading the era of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and biotechnology must step forward in history. Therefore, this fight must become the Battle of Myeongnyang, not the fortress of Namhansanseong."
He emphasized, "It should not be the darkness of Namhansanseong, which surrendered humiliatingly after splits in front of invaders, but the sea of Myeongnyang, which overturned the battle with 12 ships against 130," adding, "I, Lee Jun-seok, will fight at the forefront with the spirit of Admiral Yi Sun-sin."
Meanwhile, Lee Jun-seok will visit Gwangju after meeting Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon at the 'Walking with the Weak in Seoul' debate to target the voter sentiment in Honam.