Lee Jun-seok, the candidate of the Reform Party for the presidential election, criticized on the 20th regarding the proposal by Chairperson Kim Yong-tae for a debate among the spouses of presidential candidates, saying, "People Power Party members should really prepare measures to win the election."
He also said, "If Chairperson Kim Yong-tae (who made this proposal) had been in front of me, I would have been scolded a lot."
On that day, the candidate met with reporters in Gwangju and spoke about the People Power Party's proposal for a spouses' debate.
Earlier in the morning, Chairperson Kim held an emergency press conference and proposed a TV debate between the spouses of candidate Kim Moon-soo and candidate Lee Jae-myung before the early voting (May 29-30).
He stated, "While the social influence of the presidential spouse is significant, the verification of this is severely lacking," and added, "Things need to change now. I hope the Lee Jae-myung campaign will clarify its position by the 23rd, before the early voting."
Lee Jun-seok expressed, "I don't understand what the idea is of thinking we can win the election while having this 'nonsense free-for-all,'" and remarked, "If there are no strategies (for the election), I wish they would hire consultants instead of just wasting time."
He continued, "How long are we going to waste time because of the delusions of the People Power Party?" and questioned, "In a time frame of less than two weeks (until the presidential election), can we consider wasting more time as a strategy?"
Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo stated regarding Rep. Yoo Sang-beom's comment that if Kim's campaign committee joins, unification with him would be positive, "Considering what (Rep. Yoo) said to me, I think it's second abuse."
The candidate reported, "I have recently communicated with former Mayor Hong. I gave advice from a senior to a junior about points of concern for this election, but it was different from what Rep. Yoo was expecting."
Rep. Yoo caused a conflict by publicly mentioning disciplinary actions and expulsion related to allegations of sexual favors involving Lee Jun-seok, the then-leader of the People Power Party, in 2022.
Regarding whether mentioning 'special measures' indicated a 'drop,' he remarked, "I have no intention of dropping, but I don't know if candidate Kim Moon-soo will drop," and added, "Voters need to establish special measures. To raise the issue of 'Lee Jun-seok's responsibility' when Lee Jae-myung is polling in the low 40% to low 50% range is a sign of giving up on winning."
He further asserted, "I have pointed out several times the limitations in Kim Moon-soo's expansiveness, but I hope they can think strategically since it's difficult to gain the support of centrist voters and young people."