"Can't Trust the Democratic Party" Lee Yong-ho Withdraws Reinstatement, Breakfast Meeting with Yoon Seok-yeol (Summary)

Independent lawmaker Yongho Lee [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Lee Hyun-joo] It has been reported that presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol had breakfast on the 15th with independent lawmaker Lee Yong-ho, who announced he would withdraw his application to rejoin the Democratic Party.

In a statement released that day, Lee said, "It has been more than half a year since I applied to rejoin the Democratic Party at the end of April," and announced his withdrawal. He stated, "I applied to rejoin to keep my promise to local voters and have waited until now, but due to factionalism, vested interest politics, and regional hegemony within the Democratic Party, my rejoining issue has been drifting for a long time," adding, "I also express regret toward the Democratic Party leadership, who have been unable to make a decision and have remained inactive."

He said, "I no longer want to entrust my political fate to the Democratic Party leadership," and added, "I will withdraw my application to rejoin the Democratic Party and reconsider my party affiliation from scratch." He also criticized, "The Democratic Party has not paid attention to Honam, especially the development of Jeonbuk. Although the party, government, and Blue House announced the establishment of a public medical school in Namwon, it has only been four years of false hope without proper resolution."

Candidate Yoon did not attend the Supreme Council meeting that day, citing his meeting with Lee. Lee Yang-su, chief spokesperson of the campaign committee, said in a phone call, "A meeting with someone outside the party was urgently arranged last night to expand outreach, so it was communicated to the party that he could not attend." After the publication event of former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in, Yoon told reporters, "I heard something to that effect regarding reconsideration of rejoining the Democratic Party, but there was no more specific discussion."

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