Reform Party Leader Lee Jun-seok to Step Down Today, Taking Political Responsibility for Party Crisis

Reform Party Leader Lee Jun-seok is reportedly set to resign from his position today (August 26), taking political responsibility for the defeat in the June 3 local elections and the staged attack controversy surrounding Busan mayoral candidate Jung Yi-han.

Lee is expected to announce his stance during a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall this morning.

In the June 3 local elections, the Reform Party fielded multiple candidates for metropolitan heads and basic local government heads, but managed to secure only a single basic council seat.

His political standing had already narrowed after Jung Yi-han, who ran for Busan mayor, was indicted and detained on charges of staging a fake knife attack.

Amid these circumstances, with members within the party showing passive attitudes toward party reform, Lee reportedly decided to step down as party leader.

Previously, Lee, along with Floor Leader Chun Ha-ram, was scheduled to meet with newly elected Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok, who had expressed plans to visit the Reform Party on August 24 for an inaugural courtesy call, but canceled the schedule on the day of the meeting citing "internal party circumstances."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.