'Naebujongjil' Choo Mi-ae, even new party rumors... Troubled opposition by 'centrifugal force'

Rumors of New Party Formation by Choo Mi-ae and Cho Kuk Spread
Complex Feelings Inside and Outside the Democratic Party, Deliberating Political Impact

The Democratic Party is struggling over former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae's remarks criticizing former President Moon Jae-in and former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, claiming they pressured her to resign.

Even among Democratic Party supporters, there are comments expressing "mixed feelings." Some within the party speculate that she and former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk might join forces to form a 'new party' centered around the hardline support base.

On the 6th, Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon said on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' that the reason behind former Minister Chu's revelations was "a disruptive political move to win over the Democratic Party's hardline supporters," predicting that she would eventually join hands with former Minister Cho to form a new party outside the Democratic Party.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "(Former Minister Chu) is even criticizing former President Moon like this and launching attacks on all fronts," adding, "It seems she has no intention of continuing politics within the Democratic Party, so in the end, she might join hands with former Minister Cho."

There is speculation that former Minister Chu, who had stepped away from politics for a while, will join forces with former Minister Cho in a new party to capture the Democratic Party's hardline supporters as she resumes her political career. Former Minister Cho is also a figure around whom 'new party rumors' have been raised ahead of next year's general election.

Views in the political sphere on the 'Chu Mi-ae new party theory' are divided. Former People Power Party Supreme Council member Kim Yong-tae said on KBS Radio, "I think it could be one of the options in the scenario," adding, "The idea of rallying the support base to ultimately form a party based on the Democratic Party?I think that is possible."

On the other hand, Democratic Party Supreme Council member Jang Kyung-tae rebutted, "The two forming a new party is a bit of an exaggeration," saying, "Forming a party is no joke and not easy, and since former Minister Cho's candidacy is still uncertain, the idea of forming a party seems a bit premature." Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won also expressed on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "sparrows might talk about various things," implying low credibility.

Within the party, confusion continues over former Minister Chu's remarks. Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Min-seok, classified as pro-Moon (Chin-myeong), said on YTN's 'News King with Park Ji-hoon,' "This seems to cause division, so many lawmakers feel quite uncomfortable," adding, "It's troublesome."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min, classified as non-Moon (Bi-myeong), said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "It's a gossip issue," and "I hardly saw anyone paying attention or talking about it." This is interpreted as discomfort over the potential division the remarks might cause, though not openly discussed.

Democratic Party supporters also express mixed reactions. Pro-government poet Ryu Geun posted on his social media on the 3rd, "Many people are expressing disappointment, anger, and a sense of betrayal toward former President Moon," adding, "I also feel conflicted." Meanwhile, the so-called 'Gaeddal'?the hardline support base?seem to be paying close attention to former Minister Chu's remarks.

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