The Return of Lee Nak-yeon, Focused on the 'Role Theory'... "Will Speak Harshly if Needed"

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, who spent a year in the United States for training after defeats in the presidential and local elections, returned on the 24th, drawing attention to what role he will play amid internal strife within the Democratic Party. Pro-Lee Nak-yeon figures stated that the former leader will focus on "restoring the values and spirit of the Democratic Party," dismissing possibilities such as 'forming a new party.' They collectively pointed out the problems of fandom politics within the party, mentioning the harmful effects of 'Gaeddal' (strong supporters of leader Lee Jae-myung).

Pro-Lee Nak-yeon Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Young-chan said on the 26th on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that the former leader's next steps will be "focused on how to make the Democratic Party truly democratic again and how to restore the party's values and spirit." He added, "It will go beyond simply being the head of a faction or a non-Moon Jae-in faction; the focus will be on what direction will make the Democratic Party successful and how to rebuild a Democratic Party trusted by the people at their level."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The current perception is that the Democratic Party is 'not acting like the Democratic Party.' However, to change the party, it is inevitable to offer harsh criticism, which may face accusations of 'causing party discord.' Lawmaker Yoon said, "The former leader will speak out when necessary," adding, "What is currently lacking in our party is that diverse voices within the party are disappearing."

As the former leader becomes a focal point for the pro-Lee Nak-yeon and non-Moon factions, there are forecasts that factional battles within the Democratic Party may intensify. The possibility of a 'new party' centered around the former leader is also mentioned. However, it is known that the former leader has not commented on the new party.

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Kyung-min, also from the pro-Lee Nak-yeon camp, said on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "Many people come and talk about a new party, but I don't think the current atmosphere is like that. The former leader has not mentioned a new party at all," adding, "I don't think anyone, including the former leader or those close to him, currently believes the conditions for a new party are met."

With the former leader's return, attacks from Gaeddal are also expected. Some Gaeddal members disrupted a lecture he gave in Germany before returning to Korea, holding a banner that read 'Broken Watermelon.' 'Watermelon' is a derogatory term for the non-Moon faction. Lawmaker Yoon earnestly requested those called Gaeddal, saying, "It is good that you have affection for leader Lee Jae-myung, but I hope you do not monopolize that affection for him," adding, "We need to expand, but if our supporters monopolize the leader, those who want to help and support him will have nowhere to go."

Former lawmaker Shin also pointed out, "We do not think that leader Lee Jae-myung is indifferent to considering the former leader as his biggest rival and the 'demonization of Lee Nak-yeon.' The Gaeddal, the strong supporters of leader Lee Jae-myung, have been expanding that logic for over a year." A representative example of the 'demonization of Lee Nak-yeon' logic is blaming the former leader for the defeat in the last presidential election.

Another pro-Lee Nak-yeon lawmaker, Lee Gae-ho, appeared on BBS's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal' and agreed with former National Intelligence Service chief Park Ji-won's remark to "expel Gaeddal, Nakddal (strong supporters of former leader Lee Nak-yeon), and Watermelon," saying, "I agree with that statement," and added, "While I understand the intentions and passion of strong supporters, they should not become a factor that hinders party unity." This means fandom politics is damaging party harmony.

Within the ruling party, there is an atmosphere anticipating a 'second Myung-Nak showdown.' Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said on CBS radio when asked about the possibility of the former leader becoming a 'fighter within the party,' "Of course, there is such a possibility," adding, "During the recent investigation into the Daejang-dong scandal, there was testimony from Yoo Dong-gyu that money was taken to get votes in Gwangju. Whether true or not, from the former leader's perspective, he might think, 'Did they come into my vote base during the presidential election, spread money, and commit election fraud?'"

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min expressed skepticism about whether the former leader could take on a role within the party. On the same day on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' he said, "It depends on the public's evaluation, but it will not be easy (for him to play a role)."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.