Sang-min Lee: "If It Just Doesn't Fit, a Pleasant Breakup Is Also Possible..." Bundang Current Affairs

Veteran Lawmaker Sangmin Lee with 5 Terms
"Meeting Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yeon Is Not Always the Solution"

Lee Sang-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea classified as part of the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction (Bi-Lee Jae-myung), hinted at the possibility of a party split regarding intra-party factional conflicts, stating, "Sometimes, if our intentions do not align at all and we cannot share the same direction, we must be prepared for an amicable separation."

In an interview on June 3rd with YTN Radio's 'Shin Yul's News Showdown,' Lee referred to the escalating tensions between the pro-Lee Jae-myung and pro-Lee Nak-yeon factions following former leader Lee Nak-yeon's return to the country.

When asked if an "amicable separation" meant a party split, Lee replied, "Yes," adding, "There can be various forms." He continued, "If our intentions differ, how can we live under the same roof? This is not unique to our party; the People Power Party is the same."

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon (left) is seeing off party leader Lee Jae-myung, who finished paying respects at the funeral hall set up for his father-in-law at Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of April 9, 2023. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding the factional tensions over whether Lee Jae-myung and former leader Lee Nak-yeon will meet, Lee said, "Meeting unconditionally is not necessarily the solution."

He added, "If the Democratic Party does not resolve the current problems or crises it faces, nor the various tangled issues in Korean politics, and merely meets to shake hands and exchange empty pleasantries, I believe it cannot meet the public's expectations," saying, "Just shaking hands does not solve everything."

Lee emphasized, "We need to consider what purpose the handshake serves, whether it truly carries meaning, and if there is a common denominator that can be upheld to the end. These must be supported to achieve goals and overcome crises," adding, "Without substantial content, it is meaningless."

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