February 3, 2025
SEOUL – Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party effectively launched his presidential bid Sunday, casting himself as South Korea’s next-generation leader and pledging to upend the country’s aging political order.
Seeking to draw parallels to US Presidents John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama — who both took office in their 40s — Lee, 39, argued that South Korea, too, must embrace a younger leader to drive change.
“Kennedy became the leader of the United States at 43 and sent a man to the moon. Obama became the first Black president at 46. Why can’t we achieve similar feats?” Lee said at a press conference on a busy street near Hongdae Station in Seoul on Sunday afternoon.
“The average age of South Koreans is that of those born in 1980. It is time for our generation, raised in an advanced economy, to upgrade South Korea to the next level,” Lee added.
Born on March 31, 1985, Lee will turn 40 next month, making him eligible to run for the presidency under South Korean law.
Lee was the youngest leader of the main conservative People Power Party at 36.
Reflecting on his political career, Lee highlighted his role in helping elect former President Park Geun-hye and current President Yoon Suk Yeol. However, he noted that power is rarely shared, regardless of one’s contributions.
“Despite my role in their elections, the nature of power is such that it does not easily share its spoils. I have waited 13 to 14 years for this moment,” he said.
Asked about his presidential bid and potential alliances, Lee stood firm.
“If there is a presidential race, I will play a role in it. I have not found anyone with a similar vision to mine, and if I run, I will see it through to the end,” he said.
Lee’s official bid is expected to challenge the entrenched bipartisan system dominated by the ruling People Power Party and main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.
Regarding his party’s low single-digit support, Lee dismissed concerns, saying, “I have defied expectations in situations where people said it was impossible. I will enter the race with a winning strategy.”
On growing calls for constitutional reform, Lee criticized the motivations behind the discussions, suggesting they stem from the ruling party’s unfavorable electoral prospects.
“The way constitutional revision is being discussed right now lacks sincerity. If I reach a high office, I will immediately start discussions on constitutional reform, but it should be aimed at reducing presidential powers rather than reinforcing them,” he said.
Lee also emphasized the need for structural reforms in government, citing inefficiencies in administrative bodies.
“South Korea’s government structure needs a complete overhaul. Many ministries have overlapping duties that make them ineffective. Just as US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have taken measures to enhance efficiency, we must eliminate waste in public administration.”
A Harvard graduate, Lee entered politics in 2011, joining a predecessor to the People Power Party, the Grand National Party, to assist Park Geun-hye, who was then the party’s top presidential contender. Lee later founded the New Reform Party in January 2024 as a conservative alternative to the ruling party, after losing his leadership position in the People Power Party in 2022.