Documentary on Lee's political journey to premiere next week

Poster for Rep. Lee Jun-seok's documentary film, Junstone Year One (Jleemedia)
Poster for Rep. Lee Jun-seok's documentary film, Junstone Year One (Jleemedia)

Rep. Lee Jun-seok, a leading figure in the minor opposition Reform Party, pledged to introduce an “overwhelmingly fresh approach” that would reshape public perceptions of how a presidential race can be conducted if an early election is called this year.

“I feel like I’ve experienced every type of election — whether commanding presidential and local elections or running in general elections and party leadership contests,” Lee said. “One message I’ve learned across all these campaigns is that overcoming disadvantages requires demonstrating overwhelming innovation through the process itself.”

Lee made the remarks at a screening of "Junstone Year One," a documentary chronicling his political journey, held at CGV Yeongdeungpo, a cinema in Seoul, on Monday. The title refers to his nickname, which is a play on words: "seok" is Korean for stone.

The 39-year-old lawmaker will turn 40 on March 31 and become eligible to run for president. Earlier this year, the Harvard graduate announced he would make a bid for the presidency if President Yoon Suk Yeol is removed from office by the Constitutional Court.

Lee entered politics in 2011 when he was recruited by Park Geun-hye, then the interim leader of the Grand National Party — the predecessor of the current ruling People Power Party — ahead of the 2012 general election. In 2021, he became the youngest leader of the People Power Party and led the presidential campaign for the party's candidate that year, Yoon.

However, after clashing with senior party figures, particularly those thought to be aligned with President Yoon, Lee left the party in December 2023 and founded the Reform Party in January 2024. Lee argued that his party would represent "real" conservative voices in a departure from conventional practices that, he claimed, prioritized seniority over meritocracy.

Reflecting on the documentary, Lee remarked, “When the film was being made, I didn’t know if it would end on a positive note or have a sad ending, especially as I found myself confronting President Yoon at that time. It seemed more likely that I would face an early retirement from politics before turning 40.”

The 95-minute film traces Lee’s journey from his entry into politics as a member of the Grand National Party’s emergency leadership committee in 2011 to his departure from the People Power Party in 2023, following allegations of sexual bribery, of which he was cleared by prosecutors in 2024.

The documentary also covers the launch of the Reform Party and his victory in the general election for the Hwaseong constituency in Gyeonggi Province in April 2024.

It also highlights Lee’s 2023 volunteer work with local students in rural areas as part of the educational outreach program Edushare.

“If this film gets a lot of support, there could be a sequel,” Lee added. “And I hope that sequel ends on a happy note, one we can all be satisfied with.”

The documentary is set to be released on March 6.


flylikekite@heraldcorp.com