"Chun Haram and Lee Jooyoung Urged to Run in Southern Gyeonggi... Reform New Party Faces 'Renewal Clash'"

Ban on Proportional Representation Re-Nomination and Mandatory Local Constituency Bids for Party Leaders

Lee Gi-in: "Will Reject Chun Haram's Application for Suncheon Party Chief"

"No Consultation with Lee Junseok"...Stresses Independent Cou

Lee Giin, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Reform New Party, issued a high-intensity renewal plan as his first statement following his inauguration, heightening tension within the party. He called for a ban on proportional representation reappointments and publicly urged Floor Leader Chun Haram and Assemblyman Lee Jooyoung, both incumbent lawmakers, to run in the southern Gyeonggi region in the upcoming general election. With Lee's bold move for party reform, internal clashes for control are expected to intensify.

On September 17 at the National Assembly, Lee announced the first phase of his renewal plan, declaring his intention to cultivate the southern Gyeonggi area as a strategic stronghold for the party. His plan involves concentrating the party's personnel, organizational, and policy resources in the regions connecting Hwaseong, Suwon, Yongin, Seongnam, Pyeongtaek, and Osan, as well as establishing a "Special Committee for Southern Gyeonggi."

As a first step, Lee demanded that Chun Haram and Lee Jooyoung run in the southern Gyeonggi region. In particular, he pressured Chun by stating, "I will reject Chun's application for the Suncheon organizational committee chief," emphasizing that, "The floor leader must take the lead in supporting the party's strategic decisions." Lee also warned that if the two lawmakers do not heed this request, he will exercise the authority vested in him as Emergency Response Committee Chairman.

Lee Giin, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Reform New Party, is announcing the party's renewal plan at the National Assembly on September 17, 2026. Photo by Dongju Yoon

Lee explained, "Today, I have publicly called for decisions from the two lawmakers," adding, "Specific measures in accordance with the party constitution and regulations will be announced after the formation of the Emergency Response Committee." When asked whether there had been previous communication with Chun regarding his candidacy for the southern Gyeonggi region, Lee replied, "This is not the first time the issue has been raised. Chun has been aware of it since the tenure of former leader Lee Junseok," expressing his expectation of Chun's agreement.

However, as this plan essentially compels Chun to run in the southern Gyeonggi region instead of his established political base in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, the potential for pushback from Chun remains. While Lee Jooyoung has also been considering possible candidacies based on party strategy, Lee Giin's public call for a prompt decision has exposed the growing divide between the two sides.

Furthermore, Lee Giin stated that the next general election would completely prevent party leadership from running under proportional representation. Key party officials such as previous party leaders and the Secretary General, as well as those who received top ten spots in proportional representation during the last general election, will be excluded from proportional candidacy and instead will be required to run for constituencies. Lee himself declared, "I will not run as a proportional representative in the next general election," adding, "I will seek the choice of the people in a constituency."

Additionally, Lee pledged to nominate external candidates with scientific and technical expertise for the top spots on the proportional representation list, and promised not to establish any satellite parties for proportional representation. He also revealed a plan to comprehensively reassess party organizations, including the spokesperson group, secretariat, and regional branches, based on their performance.

Lee also made clear his independent position regarding former party leader Lee Junseok. When asked if he had consulted Lee Junseok on his nomination as Emergency Response Committee Chairman or on the renewal plans, Lee Giin replied, "I did not consult him at all." He added, "To consult or report this process to Lee Junseok would only result in repeating past mistakes," and made clear that his goal was to complete the reforms originally sought by Lee Junseok.

The internal strife within the Reform New Party has persisted since the party's poor performance in the local elections and ongoing internal controversies. Former leader Lee Junseok stepped down after the conflict over the direction of party reform, and further discord emerged during the appointment process for the Emergency Response Committee Chairman. Critics, primarily supporters of Lee Junseok, have argued that Chun Haram nominated Lee Giin without prior consultation with the former leader, while former Secretary General Kim Cheolgeun condemned this move as "Chun Haram's rebellion."

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