Reform New Party Leadership Including Lee Jun-seok Resigns En Masse Amid Election Defeat and Rocky Road Ahead

"No Sufficient Support Within the Party for Proposals on Strengthening and Renewal"


Party's Standing Likely to Weaken Ahead of General Election

The leadership of the Reform New Party, including leader Lee Junseok, collectively resigned on August 26. Following a crushing defeat in the 9th Unified Local Elections and the controversy over the staged attack involving Jung Ihan, the party has found itself in crisis. Internally, it has also failed to secure the momentum for reform. As the 2028 general parliamentary elections approach, the party's standing is appearing increasingly precarious.

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, is greeting after announcing his resignation from the position at the National Assembly communication office on the 26th. August 26, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

That morning, Lee held a press conference at the National Assembly communication office, announcing his intention to step down. He stated, "For just over three months after the local elections, I have made efforts and proposals for the party’s self-reliance and reform, but I did not receive sufficient support within the party," adding, "As a member and lawmaker, I will continue to fulfill my duties in my position."

It is reported that since the election defeat, Lee has been pursuing ways to raise approval ratings. His proposals included strengthening the party's internal content and placing key party figures—including current lawmakers—into southern Gyeonggi Province, which is regarded as a strategic region. However, there was reportedly only a lukewarm response within the party to these initiatives.

On the same day, Reform New Party Secretary-General Lee Kiin appeared on CBS's "Park Seongtae's News Show," stating, "The party leader's resignation also reflects his willingness to take responsibility for both the election defeat and the incident involving Jung Ihan." He added, "There were some differing opinions regarding the party’s direction, and during the process of reconciling them, some party members lacked motivation."

Together with Lee, all members of the party leadership except the floor leader have stepped down. For the time being, Floor Leader Chun Haram will serve as acting party leader. According to the party constitution and regulations, if there are more than six months left in the vacated leader’s term, an extraordinary party congress must be held within 60 days to elect a new leader. However, party insiders say the situation is far from easy.

With the collective resignation of the party leadership, the Reform New Party's presence is expected to diminish even further. In the recent local elections, the party recorded similar results—a single basic council seat—as the Green Party, which remains an extraparliamentary party. While there is speculation, both inside and outside the party, about a possible merger with the People Power Party ahead of the next general election, most assess that this is unlikely. An official from the Reform New Party commented, "Even if a merger happens, in the current state of disarray, a piecemeal joining of individuals would be better than integration."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.