The Reform Party officially launched its Central Election Committee on May 11, gearing up for the June 3 local elections and the National Assembly by-elections. Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, criticized the exclusion of Jung Ji-han, the party's candidate for Busan mayor, from a local TV debate, urging the Democratic Party's candidate, Jeon Jae-soo, not to ignore this issue.
The Reform Party's election committee held its inaugural meeting at the National Assembly, marking the start of its activities. During the meeting, Lee presented nomination certificates to candidates including Kim Seong-yeol, who is running in the Hanam Gap district, and Park Il-ha, the candidate for the Dongjak District mayor, who recently left the People Power Party to join the Reform Party. Lee also dressed the candidates in orange jackets as a symbol of their commitment to victory in the elections.
In his opening remarks, Lee highlighted Jung's exclusion from the TV debate and his ongoing hunger strike, stating, "Jeon Jae-soo, the candidate from the Democratic Party, should not turn a blind eye to this. A 30-something challenger like Jeon should not leave Jung, who is of a similar age, outside the debate venue." He emphasized the importance of acknowledging Jung's situation.
Lee urged Jeon to abandon his privileged stance and return to the mindset of a challenger, saying, "Today’s Jeon should reach out to the Jeon who was once ignored and left alone at that debate. This is a matter of respect for the citizens of Busan who supported Jung and a minimal duty to the debate where he once sat alone."
He also criticized the joint investigation team of the police and prosecutors for indicting Jung's aides on charges of evidence destruction while dismissing allegations of Jung's involvement in receiving money from the Unification Church. Lee called the decision to exclude Jung from the debate "unacceptable," likening it to broadcasting a game with three players while only covering two.
The Reform Party's election committee held its inaugural meeting at the National Assembly, marking the start of its activities. During the meeting, Lee presented nomination certificates to candidates including Kim Seong-yeol, who is running in the Hanam Gap district, and Park Il-ha, the candidate for the Dongjak District mayor, who recently left the People Power Party to join the Reform Party. Lee also dressed the candidates in orange jackets as a symbol of their commitment to victory in the elections.
In his opening remarks, Lee highlighted Jung's exclusion from the TV debate and his ongoing hunger strike, stating, "Jeon Jae-soo, the candidate from the Democratic Party, should not turn a blind eye to this. A 30-something challenger like Jeon should not leave Jung, who is of a similar age, outside the debate venue." He emphasized the importance of acknowledging Jung's situation.
Lee urged Jeon to abandon his privileged stance and return to the mindset of a challenger, saying, "Today’s Jeon should reach out to the Jeon who was once ignored and left alone at that debate. This is a matter of respect for the citizens of Busan who supported Jung and a minimal duty to the debate where he once sat alone."
He also criticized the joint investigation team of the police and prosecutors for indicting Jung's aides on charges of evidence destruction while dismissing allegations of Jung's involvement in receiving money from the Unification Church. Lee called the decision to exclude Jung from the debate "unacceptable," likening it to broadcasting a game with three players while only covering two.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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