Over 19,000 Party Members Demand Expulsion... Lee Nak-yeon Says, "If They Drive Me Out, I Have to Leave, What Can I Do?"

Amid New Party Formation Rumors, Democratic Party Members File Petition Saying "Leave"

There is a surge of party members demanding the expulsion of former leader Lee Nak-yeon, who has been increasingly critical of Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. In response, former leader Lee said, "If the party drives me out, I have no choice but to accept it."

On the 3rd, a petition titled "Request for the expulsion of former leader Lee Nak-yeon, an obstacle to intra-party unity" was posted on the Democratic Party's National Response Center. As of 3:30 PM on the 5th, the petition had received over 19,400 signatures. When a petition on the Democratic Party's National Response Center reaches 50,000 signatures, the party leadership is required to provide an official response.

Lee Nak-yeon, the General Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the National Vision and National Integration Committee Peace Vision Meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 9th, delivering a keynote speech. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

The party member who posted the petition stated, "At a time when the Democratic Party should unite its strength, we can no longer tolerate former leader Lee Nak-yeon, who is causing discord again, as a party member." They added, "Former leader Lee Nak-yeon is demonizing party members by calling them 'malignant fandom' and 'Gaeddal (strong supporters of leader Lee Jae-myung),' insulting the party members. We hope he leaves the Democratic Party, which is plagued by malignant fandom politics."

Former leader Lee has recently appeared on several broadcasts, criticizing leader Lee Jae-myung by saying that "the Democratic Party has lost its ability to recover." He also expressed sympathy for the purpose of uniting the 'third zone' and left open the possibility of founding a new party.

Regarding the party members' demands for his expulsion, former leader Lee responded on MBC Radio on the 5th, saying, "If the party drives me out, I have no choice but to accept it." He added, "I wouldn't wish for that, but if the party members want it and the party decides, I will comply."

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