Democratic Party and the leader Lee Jae-myung have continuously framed the People Power Party as a far-right faction that defended martial law, while positioning himself and his party as moderate conservatives or true conservatives. In the aftermath of Yoon’s martial law crisis, several right-leaning politicians have defected to the Democratic Party, claiming that Candidate Lee is the one who can truly realize conservative values. A notable example is Her Eun-a, the former leader of the Reform Party, who recently joined the Democratic Party after previously serving in both the People Power Party and the Reform Party. CBT repoters spoke directly with her about the reasons behind her political transition and her current stance.

  As the leader of the Reform Party, conflicts began as soon as I tried to exercise my rightful authority as an elected representative. I fought fiercely to uphold the principles of party democracy. However, through that process, I was confronted with actions by Candidate Lee Jun-seok’s camp that sought to privatize the party. I witnessed firsthand lies, ruthlessness, corruption, and outdated political behavior that I had not seen before. It was through this internal conflict that I came to fully grasp the reality of Lee’s politics.

  Ultimately, my efforts to protect party democracy hit a wall when the court dismissed my injunction. I felt deep frustration with the reality that the court is reluctant to intervene in internal party matters. That is when I realized that change from within was no longer possible, and I decided to leave the party. To deliver my political message directly to the people, I chose to register as a preliminary presidential candidate.

  Running as a preliminary candidate taught me many lessons. I reflected deeply on what politics means, the kind of world I hope for, and how that world might be realized. My political vision has broadened and solidified.

  That said, there was undeniable disappointment. As an independent, it was difficult to attract media attention, and I could no longer take for granted the excessive burden placed on my campaign team. Although I had completed all the preparations necessary to register as a formal candidate, I ultimately decided not to proceed, after careful consideration.

  Still, I believe this decision was not the end, but rather a stepping stone toward a better future.

  It is true that, as the former chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, I was once critical of both Candidate Lee and the Democratic Party. However, during my time as the leader of the Reform Party, I had several in-depth conversations with Candidate Lee, which led me to reconsider. I came to realize that my previous judgment might have been based on certain biases. What struck me most was how flexible and communicative he actually was—quite different from what I had expected.

  Even back then, Candidate Lee and the senior Democratic Party figures consistently emphasized the need to broaden the party’s base by engaging with moderate conservatives. Over the past year, I have seen that he has remained consistent in that stance, which gave me confidence in his sincerity and leadership.

  I believe the core spirit of this election is putting an end to a political insurrection. What we need now more than ever is consistent and principled leadership. I believe Candidate Lee is the person best equipped with those qualities.

  I approached this decision with great caution, especially after my previous disappointment with Lee Jun-seok. Having once supported him, only to witness betrayal, I made a firm resolution never again to fall for empty rhetoric. That is why this endorsement carries more weight than ever before.

  I was also drawn to the Democratic Party’s commitment to internal democracy. Unlike the People Power Party, which is run top-down, the Democratic Party values the voice of its members. That gave me confidence that, within this party, I could finally pursue the kind of politics I have always envisioned.

  That is why I decided not only to endorse Candidate Lee, but also to join the Democratic Party.

  At my core, I am a constitutionalist. I have always emphasized the values of fairness, responsibility, and freedom. Though I was affiliated with the People Power Party and identified as a conservative, I believe today’s party can no longer be considered a legitimate conservative force, as it has failed to break from those who conspired against democracy. The Reform Party under Lee Jun-seok also devolved into a personality-centered, privatized structure.

  By contrast, Candidate Lee and the Democratic Party have clearly expressed their willingness to represent even the rational conservative voice. I believe true conservatism lies in upholding the Constitution. To do so, we must pursue reform and change. I found that Candidate Lee’s political philosophy aligns with this belief, which is why I made the decision to support him.

  Going forward, I intend to uphold constitutional values, restore the livelihood of the people, and ensure that those who threaten our democracy are removed from the political stage—this, I believe, is my responsibility as a true conservative within the Democratic Party.

  We must not forget that this is a snap election triggered by an illegal martial law conspiracy. Therefore, the core spirit of this election is ending that attempted insurrection.

  To realize that spirit, the forces defending the Constitution must win a decisive and overwhelming victory. Only then can we restore democratic order and prevent such incidents from ever happening again.

  I take this historic responsibility very seriously. That is why I have been actively campaigning across the country and appearing on various media platforms to urge citizens to vote.

  At this moment, securing victory in the presidential election is my top priority. As for my role after the election, I will engage in thoughtful discussions with fellow party members and make a careful decision. For now, I will dedicate myself fully to our shared goal: restoring democracy and upholding the constitutional order.

▲ The declaration ceremony of Real Conservatives, Democratic Conservatives held on the 27th at the Democratic Party’s central headquarters in Yeoui-do, Seoul, participants including Kwon Oh-eul, formerly of the Grand National Party, Her Eun-a, the former leader of Reform Party, and Choi Yeon-sook, formerly of the People Power Party. All have recently switched their party affiliation to the Democratic Party.