Cheon Ha-ram, acting leader and floor leader of the Reform Party, held a press briefing at the National Assembly on the 31st and said the party would maintain an independent course that does not compromise with the establishment. He said the party would quell the turmoil by electing a new leadership without a merger with the People Power Party or dissolving the party, and prepare for the 2028 general election.
Cheon said that "the Reform Party is facing the greatest crisis since its founding," adding, "We will hold a party convention to elect the next leadership in accordance with the procedures set out in the party constitution and regulations." He went on, "We will swiftly address the leadership vacuum and confusion and set the party's system and order right," adding, "Since we began this difficult path as the only third-zone party in the National Assembly, we will rise with the spirit of trying seven times and succeeding on the eighth."
Cheon dismissed the possibility of a merger with the People Power Party. Cheon said, "All talk of a merger is groundless," adding, "Since its founding, whenever we faced general, presidential, or local elections, there were countless rumors of mergers and single candidacies, but each time we steadfastly walked the path as an independent party."
Regarding lawmaker Lee Jun-seok, who recently stepped down as party leader, Cheon said, "I believe he will continue to be active as a lawmaker and will contribute good ideas and influence for the party."
Cheon said, "It is true that I tried to dissuade Lee Jun-seok from resigning as leader," but added, "It seems Lee himself judged that the party needed shock therapy."