Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party speaks during a press conference held at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club in central Seoul on April 25, 2024. (Yonhap)
Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party speaks during a press conference held at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club in central Seoul on April 25, 2024. (Yonhap)

Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party announced Wednesday his intention to run for president if an early election is called, firmly ruling out any possibility of withdrawing his candidacy in favor of the ruling People Power Party.

“Given the circumstances, it seems likely,” Lee said during an interview on an SBS radio program when asked if he would join the presidential race if the election were held in 2025.

If the Constitutional Court upholds Yoon’s impeachment, a presidential election must be held within 60 days, as mandated by South Korean law.

Lee, 39, will only be eligible to run for president if the election is held after March 31, the day he turns 40.

South Korea’s Constitution sets the minimum age requirement for presidential candidates in Article 67, which states that a candidate must meet the qualifications to run for the National Assembly and be at least 40 years old on the election day.

Lee further expressed confidence in his potential to win the election, likening himself to an electric vehicle.

“The era of electric vehicles becoming the dominant player will come -- it’s just a matter of time,” Lee said.

Lee noted that despite not being a member of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea or the ruling People Power Party, he expects to perform well, citing his victory over candidates from both major parties in the April 2024 general election.

“A three-way race offers more opportunities than a two-way contest,” Lee said.

Lee dismissed speculation about the New Reform Party merging with the People Power Party or withdrawing his candidacy in favor of a ruling party candidate.

Lee began his political career under former President Park Geun-hye, a former member of the People Power Party’s predecessor, the New Frontier Party. He later served as PPP leader from June 2021 through August 2022. Lee left the party in December 2023, citing conflicts with members allegedly aligned with Yoon.

In the April election, Lee won 42 percent of the vote in Hwaseong B constituency, Gyeonggi Province. He defeated Democratic Party candidate Gong Young-woon, a former Hyundai Motor executive, and People Power Party candidate Han Jung-min.


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