Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok said on the 23rd, "There is no possibility of forming an alliance with the People Power Party in next year's local elections."
On this day, Lee attended the "Let's gather, Gyeonggi-do! Pledge for certain victory rally," hosted by the Reform Party Gyeonggi Provincial Chapter at the National Assembly Members' Office Building.
After the rally, when reporters asked, "Is there a possibility of forming an alliance with the People Power Party in next year's local elections?" Lee said, "There is no possibility of moving together in terms of alliances or election maneuvers." He added, "There are no voices for change or renewal coming from within the People Power Party at all."
Lee said, "Even during the last presidential election, the People Power Party seemed to try to proceed with only the 1990s-style election slogan 'If we unite, we win,' rather than shifting its stance on change or martial law." He continued, "The general election in which former leader Hwang Kyo-ahn suffered a crushing defeat was the result of that strategy."
When reporters asked about the Reform Party's goals in next year's local elections, Lee said, "For basic councilors, in three-member districts, we are gathering candidates with the goal of fielding winners across the board." He added, "In Honam and a few other regions, we have the goal of achieving results that could elevate us to the position of the second party."
Lee was also asked about the schedule for the 3rd of next month, marking one year since the declaration of emergency martial law. He said, "Rather than issuing overly political messages, I plan to make a declarative statement on how Korea's politics should change after martial law."