"I Will Welcome You Barefoot"... Opposition's Bimyeong Faction Lee Sang-min, Joining People Power Party?

Lee Sang-min Receives 'Love Call' from Ruling Party Talent Recruitment Committee
Concerns Within Party: "Ruling Party May Appear Like an Anti-Myeong Coalition"

Lee Sang-min, a senior member of the Democratic Party and a non-Lee Jae-myung faction lawmaker, is set to meet In Yo-han, the Innovation Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, on the 21st, drawing attention to the issue of his potential entry into the ruling party.

On the 21st, Lee plans to give a lecture on the problems and reform measures of Korean politics, having been invited by the People Power Party's Innovation Committee. Following the lecture, discussions and briefings with the innovation committee members are scheduled.

Previously, Lee had left open various possibilities including leaving the party, joining former leader Lee Jun-seok's new party, or joining the People Power Party. However, he did not participate in the intra-party innovation group 'Principles and Common Sense,' formed by other non-Lee Jae-myung faction lawmakers. While the 'Principles and Common Sense' members focus on reform and innovation within the party rather than leaving, Lee chose to take an independent path.

On the 20th, on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' Lee explained, "I generally share the sense of defects or problems with the Democratic Party and the direction it should take, but my position is different. Those people (Principles and Common Sense) still say we should stay in the party and do our best to reform, innovate, and correct things within the party a bit more, but I have already declared by early December whether I will leave or stay in the party."

Lee Sang-min, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Lee said that although his desire to leave the party feels "like a sweet rice cake," "I started in the Uri Party in 2004 and have reached my fifth term, and I am now a veteran within the Democratic Party, so leaving is not an easy matter." He added, "Being attacked (by the hardline supporters) happens once or twice, but I have become very disillusioned and fed up," and appealed, "The Lee Jae-myung leadership system is strengthening, and there is almost no space for me to breathe or carry out any activities."

He also left open the possibility of joining the People Power Party. Lee said, "Both the People Power Party and the Democratic Party have many problems, but if there is a space where I can fulfill my political role and political dreams, I am willing to go," adding, "It's not because I particularly like the People Power Party, but if there is a space where I can carry out my role or intentions and a soil or atmosphere that can accept that, I do not mind and can choose anywhere."

The People Power Party's Talent Recruitment Committee has already extended a love call to Lee. On the 17th, Jo Jung-hoon, a member of the Talent Recruitment Committee, expressed his intention to recruit Lee in an interview with BBS Radio, saying, "If Lee comes, I will be the first to welcome him," and "If he becomes a free agent (FA), I think the People Power Party can offer the most unprecedented cost and value to bring him in."

However, cautious opinions still exist within the party. On the 20th, Jang Ye-chan, the Youth Supreme Council Member, appeared on KBS's 'Special 1 Radio Today' and said, "I have observed Lee's activities for a long time and met him often on broadcasts; he is a very sensible and rational person, so he would be a great help for the People Power Party to move toward the center," but added, "However, it would not be helpful to his concerns if I speculate on his moves ahead of time."

Jang said, "We will listen to the content of his special lecture with the Innovation Committee, pay close attention to the difficulties he faced under the Lee Jae-myung leadership, and cautiously observe what political moves he makes, proceeding step by step. Rushing like roasting beans over a lightning fire would ruin things," and added, "We intend to watch the meeting with the Innovation Committee with half a welcoming heart and half a cautious heart."

Kim Jae-seop, the People Power Party Dobong-gap District Committee Chairman, said, "From our perspective, the atmosphere is currently 'not buying'." On the 20th, on YTN Radio, Kim clarified that this was his personal opinion, stating, "It is a matter of examining whether Lee can harmonize with the People Power Party's policy line or political ideology and contribute, but accepting people who have been pushed out from the Lee Jae-myung system right now would look like a collusion ahead of the election, so I am negative about it at this time."

Kim added, "The People Power Party is not an anti-Lee Jae-myung coalition," and expressed concern, "The People Power Party is the ruling party, and it should not appear as if it is opposing Lee Jae-myung. While the opposition party can do that, it does not look good for the ruling party to gather people who are at odds with the opposition leader and run in the election."

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