Rumors of New Party Formation Stir Opposition... What Is Lee Nak-yeon's True Intention?

"I Will Speak When the Time Comes" Leaves Door Open for Party Formation

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon has been intensifying his criticism of current leader Lee Jae-myung, drawing attention to the possibility that the anti-Lee Jae-myung (Bi-Myung) faction may unite and launch a new party.

The 'Democracy Practice Action,' composed of pro-Lee Nak-yeon (Pro-Nak) non-parliamentary figures, is currently preparing to establish a new party, and the fact that the parliamentary Bi-Myung faction group 'Principles and Common Sense' is active also fuels such speculation.

Lee Nak-yeon has refrained from making specific comments regarding the new party formation, so it remains unclear what form the new party might take. However, he left the possibility open by saying, "I will speak when the time comes" about whether to form a new party.

Former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee Nak-yeon, is delivering the keynote speech at the forum titled "Overcoming the Crisis of the Republic of Korea and Moving Toward a New Path," hosted by "Solidarity and Symbiosis," held at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 28th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 30th of last month, Lee appeared on SBS Radio and assessed the Democratic Party's situation, saying, "Originally, the Democratic Party had its own immune system for decades. Internal diversity and intra-party democracy are exactly that immune system," adding, "When the immune system collapses, the ability to recover is lost, and the Democratic Party is currently in such a state."

Regarding the violent behavior of some hardline Democratic Party supporters, he said, "The party members' bulletin board is a public forum and place for dialogue among members, so hostile or violent language should be prohibited, and if excessive, expulsion should be enforced. If such measures had been taken, the behavior would have been greatly restrained, but no such actions were taken," and questioned, "Why can't the Democratic Party eliminate this when it does not help the party?"

He continued, "I always deeply consider what I can do for the country," hinting at the possibility of forming a new party.

Some speculate that the Bi-Myung faction could rally around Lee Nak-yeon as a focal point. If the Bi-Myung faction is largely excluded from nominations ahead of next year's general election, the movement to establish a new party may intensify.

However, the parliamentary Bi-Myung group 'Principles and Common Sense' has stated that they have not yet had direct contact with Lee Nak-yeon.

Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Young-chan said in a BBS Radio interview on the 28th of last month, "The activities of 'Principles and Common Sense' and former leader Lee Nak-yeon are separate issues," adding, "It is too early to say what shape this will take later. Each is thinking about their own position and discussing the world they want to change."

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