Yoo Seung-min, Ahn Cheol-soo, and Han Dong-hoon Extend Hand to Lee Jun-seok
Lee Jun-seok: “If aliens invade, Korea and Japan should unite”
Seeks alliance against pension reform, but fails to get positive response from Ahn, Yoo, or Han
Lee Jun-seok, a reform party legislator, criticized the national pension reform proposal and suggested forming an alliance with Ahn Cheol-soo, Yoo Seung-min, and Han Dong-hoon. He emphasized that politicians who view the pension reform as a deteriorative measure should join forces, drawing attention to how this could impact future presidential politics.
On the 24th, Lee held a press conference at the National Assembly communication center saying, “I hope to gather with Representative Ahn Cheol-soo, former leader Yoo Seung-min, and former leader Han Dong-hoon to discuss the pension issue.” He declared, “A significant agenda has emerged in our political arena that transcends party lines, factions, generations, and regions. The agenda is pension reform, and formalities are not important.”
Additionally, Lee reminisced, “I recall the late lawmaker Roh Hoe-chan’s words that if aliens invaded, Korea and Japan should join hands to fight,” adding, “Since failing to prevent the passage of the bill, I have been advocating revoking the agreement that amplifies the sacrifice of the younger generation through a veto. With similar-minded individuals expressing their positions over the weekend, I see a glimmer of hope.”
After the ruling and opposition parties agreed on pension reform on the 20th, some politicians have strongly criticized it. Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min stated, “The substantive reform agreement is just patchwork,” urging the government to veto it. Representative Ahn Cheol-soo also commented, “The pension deterioration law should be vetoed, and automatic adjustment mechanisms should be introduced upon reevaluation,” while former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon declared that the pension reform, which burdens the youth, should undergo a veto and be re-discussed.
From Lee’s perspective, even extending a hand to his “rivals” like Representative Ahn and former leader Han aims to amplify their unified voice. Should Lee ally with former leader Yoo, representative Ahn, and former leader Han based on their shared opposition to pension reform, it could significantly influence any upcoming presidential elections. This is because they could form a force clearly distancing themselves from President Yoon Seok-yeol while opposing Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung.
However, Representative Ahn and former leader Yoo have not responded to Lee’s proposal, and an associate of former leader Han dismissed the possibility of discussions with Lee.