Rumors of Lee Nak-yeon's New Party Stir Party... "He Must Have Affection for the Party" "Factional Conflict Deepens"

New Party of Dissenters Around Lee Nak-yeon?
Pro-Myeong Faction: "As Party Elders, We Will Not Consider a New Party"

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon’s 'deliberate criticism' of Lee Jae-myung’s leadership is causing unrest within the party as it is being analyzed as a prelude to the formation of a new party. Unlike before, when he issued refined messages, the fact that former leader Lee Nak-yeon did not outright dismiss the 'new party formation theory' but left room for it has become a focus of attention.

On the 28th, former leader Lee Nak-yeon sharply criticized Lee Jae-myung’s leadership and fandom politics centered on a hardline support base. At a forum held at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, he told reporters about the controversy over the party’s factionalization, saying, "It is very regrettable. I think it is not unrelated to leadership," directly targeting Lee Jae-myung.

Then, when asked about the 'new party formation,' former leader Lee Nak-yeon replied, "There are various avenues being explored."

If the non-Lee Jae-myung faction gathers around former leader Lee Nak-yeon as a focal point, a new party with significant influence could emerge. Within the party, a group of non-Lee Jae-myung faction lawmakers calling themselves the reform faction, 'Principles and Common Sense,' has officially launched and begun political factionalization, with lawmaker Yoon Young-chan, a close aide of former leader Lee Nak-yeon, active in it. There is also a possibility that many figures who were excluded from nominations will join the new party.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, pro-Lee Jae-myung figures have assessed that former leader Lee Nak-yeon is unlikely to form a new party. Lawmaker Kim Young-jin said, "Former leader Lee has spent his political life and all processes together with the Democratic Party," drawing a line against the possibility of a new party.

In an interview with SBS Radio’s 'Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show' on the same day, lawmaker Kim said, "Former leader Lee Nak-yeon’s basic thought is affection for the Democratic Party, and how to inherit and innovate the traditions and history of the Democratic Party, which has continued from Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, to Moon Jae-in, and how to create a development direction that is the greatest common divisor of what former leader Lee, current Democratic Party members, and everyone thinks about the Democratic Party."

Lawmaker Jin Sung-jun also stated on CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show' on the same day, "Former leader Lee Nak-yeon served as party leader and prime minister in the Democratic government and ran as a presidential candidate representing the Democratic Party. He will stay in the party to work so that the party can gain more public support, and he will not think about leaving the party to create a new one."

Some criticism has also been directed at former leader Lee Nak-yeon. As a senior figure in the party responsible for calming factional conflicts, he is instead accused of empowering the non-Lee Jae-myung faction and highlighting party division.

Independent lawmaker Kim Nam-guk, a pro-Lee Jae-myung figure, said of former leader Lee Nak-yeon, "As a senior in the party, he should alleviate factional conflicts and contribute more than anyone else to party unity, but it is shocking that he is instead making statements that rekindle factional conflicts and could act as a catalyst for internal party strife."

On the 28th, lawmaker Kim said via social media (SNS), "He should write a thorough reflection letter, but he is shaking the party leadership while completely forgetting his own responsibility," emphasizing "Now is not the time for personal or factional politics. We must heed the hearts of party members and the public, unify, and find a path to victory in the general election with one heart and one mind."

Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party’s Legal Committee, Cho Sang-ho, also criticized on the 29th on KBC Radio, saying, "At least former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok never criticized party members," and added, "But I don’t understand why former leader Lee Nak-yeon and those around him criticize party members."

Deputy Chairman Cho said, "They talk about divisive politics that only look at hardline party members and 'Gaeddal' supporters, as if those supporters have committed grave sins and should be excluded," and added, "Criticism should be made in a way that does not blame supporters but helps the Democratic Party win the general election. I hope they observe some boundaries."

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