Lee Ki-in, chairman of the New Reform Party's Emergency Response Committee, and Floor Leader Chun Ha-ram have clashed publicly over running in southern Gyeonggi Province for the 2028 general elections.

At the emergency committee meeting on Monday (October 26), Chairman Lee appealed to Floor Leader Chun, saying, "I am making one final public request for you to join our southern Gyeonggi stronghold strategy." He added, "The New Reform Party needs Chun Ha-ram, and I do not want to imagine a future for the New Reform Party without Rep. Chun. Let us live together and die together."

Lee emphasized, "The question we must answer now is how to connect each of our individual challenges to the survival and growth of the entire party. With Rep. Lee Ju-young, who made a decisive move where Rep. Lee Jun-seok is running, and myself joining in, let us create an opportunity together that would be difficult to build if we are scattered."

Chairman Lee continued, "I remember an interview ahead of the 2024 general election in which (Floor Leader Chun) gave up running in Suncheon to run as a proportional representation candidate, saying he would answer the party's strategic call." He added, "It is difficult to understand if the party's strategy, which was accepted when entering the National Assembly, is now perceived as coercion at a moment when we must share other responsibilities for the party's survival."

He also noted, "Back when we campaigned together under the name 'Cheon-Ah-Yong-In,' we agreed on the principle that those who call for party change must first step down from their own positions. I also put aside my political options and turned down recruitment offers from major parties, as well as an offer from a Democratic Party figure to join the presidential office."

In contrast, Floor Leader Chun made it clear in response to Chairman Lee's request that he intends to stick to running in the Suncheon-A district of South Jeolla Province.

Floor Leader Chun stressed, "Although I feel apologetic for speaking so firmly, in conclusion, I wish to continue serving as the chairman of the Suncheon-A local party committee as before, and I intend to do my best to win the general election in Suncheon."

He added, "I have no intention of moving my district to southern Gyeonggi. The more difficult the times, the more necessary it is to uphold principles and maintain trust with the public."

Chun continued, "I believe that faithfully fulfilling my role in Suncheon is necessary not only for myself but also for our party. I will also explain the necessity of maintaining the Suncheon district during the review process of the Special Committee on Strengthening Party Organization."

However, meeting with reporters after the session, Chairman Lee said, "We reached a tentative conclusion to discuss this one more time by this week." He added, "Following another comprehensive discussion, we will make an announcement this Thursday."

Yet, when asked by reporters whether there was room for compromise, Floor Leader Chun drew the line, saying, "If I could duplicate myself, I would, but this is not a matter where I can split my body in two." He added, "Since there is a screening process by the Special Committee on Strengthening Party Organization and the emergency committee, I will discuss it with the committee and party leadership."
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)