Lee Jun-seok: "A vote for Kim Moon-soo is a vote to protect Yoon Suk-yeol… Please choose No. 4"

"We can't win even if we unite… Give your support to the crescent moon"

Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, appealed to conservatives on the 2nd, urging them to choose him rather than Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, in the main election. He argued that the outcome of this election is already decided, and that conservatives should empower him for the future of conservative parties.

On Facebook that day, Lee stated, "According to detailed research and data analysis, Candidate Kim has already clearly lost. Regardless of whether there is a single conservative candidate or not, I tell you there is no way to win by any means," and continued, "Looking at the two candidates who declared support for Candidate Kim and then withdrew: one is the Liberty Unification Party candidate who adamantly opposed the impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol, and the other is Candidate Hwang Kyo-ahn, who became entangled in conspiracy theories about a rigged election."

Lee argued, "A vote for this awkward alliance is a wasted vote that kills democracy twice. I, Lee Jun-seok, cannot be with such forces, which is why, despite many wounds, I have fought more fiercely than anyone in a head-on battle with Candidate Lee Jae-myung," and continued, "The time for choice has come. Please send overwhelming support not to the setting full moon, but to the rising crescent. Persuade those around you to vote for No. 4, Lee Jun-seok."

He reiterated, "Candidate Kim has already lost the presidential election. Any vote for him is a vote to exonerate and benefit Yoon Suk-yeol, Jeon Kwang-hoon, and Hwang Kyo-ahn. It is a vote to protect vested interests, not to bring change to the broader conservative base," and emphasized, "A vote for Lee Jun-seok is seed money for investment in the future—a vote to help the broader conservative sector start anew based on youth. For the future of the Republic of Korea, the survival of conservatism, and the hope of the younger generation, I ask for your decisive support."

The day before, Lee also posted that while he expected Lee Jae-myung to win, he wanted voters to choose him as the new alternative for the conservative bloc. He wrote, "Various public opinion indices are roughly outlining the election. There is no reason to ignore scientific statistical indicators," and continued, "If we can secure a certain level of support in this election, we can prevent Korea from leaning completely to one side and rekindle the flame of hope."

Hong Min-sung, Hankyung.com reporter mshong@hankyung.com