Sangmin Lee: "Inyohan Did Not Propose 'Come In'... No Contact with Democratic Party Leadership Either"

Lee Sang-min, a five-term lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea who announced that he would decide his political future by early next month, recently gave a lecture to the People Power Party's Innovation Committee, raising the possibility of joining the People Power Party. However, Lee stated that Innovation Committee Chairman In Yo-han did not propose that he join the party.

On the 24th, in response to the host's question on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' asking, "Did Chairman In propose that you join the party?" Lee said, "He did not," adding, "He was quite indifferent."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Innovation Committee invited Lee on the 21st to give a lecture on 'Problems and Reform Measures in Korean Politics.' Although there was speculation that Chairman In and Lee might have discussed joining the party during their meeting, no such conversation actually took place.

Lee said, "I have never had a separate conversation with Chairman In," adding, "I wondered when he might make a proposal, but he did not. Later, when a reporter asked him how he would feel if I joined the People Power Party, he said he would 'welcome' it."

As one of the prominent non-mainstream figures, Lee maintains the stance that he would not hesitate to leave the Democratic Party if there is no change. When asked by the host whether he felt any change in the party, he said, "It is unlikely to happen easily," and criticized, "About 15 days ago, I said this because there have been continuous talks about non-mainstream members leaving the Democratic Party or forming a new party, and rumors about candidate nominations being bargained like a deal, which made things look very messy."

However, he revealed that the Democratic Party leadership has not contacted him to dissuade him from leaving. He said, "There has been no contact from the leadership. But I do not expect or hope for that," adding, "No one has asked me to wait because things will change."

Lee has left open the possibility of joining the People Power Party but has not yet made up his mind. He said, "I am keeping all possibilities open if I part ways with the Democratic Party," adding, "There is a new party option, and I am currently continuing meetings and communication with lawmakers Geum Tae-seop and Yang Hyang-ja, who are pushing for a third-party new party through Friday joint meetings. We are also discussing the new party initiative led by former leader Lee Jun-seok, and I am considering all possibilities with the People Power Party as well. If there is nowhere else to go, I might consider this or that."

When asked by the host if he had practically made a decision, he said, "I have not decided, but my mind is leaning that way," adding, "I also need to observe the situation a bit more."

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