Kim Jong-min: "Until December is a Time for Innovation... Must Pass This Time to Judge New Party"

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon has been making remarks that clash with current leader Lee Jae-myung, sparking rumors of a 'new party.' Amid this, the non-Lee (非明) reform faction 'Principles and Common Sense' announced that it will hold a debate on the 10th and make a 'major announcement,' raising the possibility of an alliance between the groups. However, Kim Jong-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker and member of 'Principles and Common Sense,' stated that "until December, it is a time to discuss how the Democratic Party will change," indicating that it is still too early to discuss a new party.

On the 8th, Kim said on KBS 1 Radio's Today, "(Until December) it is a time for reform, and after this reform period, if it is judged that reform is absolutely impossible, then we will consider whether to form a new party or try some other new attempt," expressing this view.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As the media reports on the 'Lee Nak-yeon new party rumor' and the non-Lee reform faction 'Principles and Common Sense' holds a public debate, attention is focused on the possibility of their alliance. In response, Kim said, "If it is about alliance, we are trying to ally with former leader Lee, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, and leader Lee Jae-myung; we are holding open discussions to ally with all," adding, "There is no specific plan to establish a new party."

He continued, "If opinions align or there is sympathy, that can be considered an alliance. There are many points of agreement and sympathy regarding former leader Lee's concern for the party, but we have never had conversations or shared plans to form a new party together," he added.

Regarding the recent resolution at the Democratic Party Central Committee to amend party rules to increase the voting weight of general party members, Kim said, "Overall, the voting weight of long-standing party members and delegates who know the party well is decreasing, while the voting weight of general party members is increasing," expressing concern that "the delegate system was intended to allow active and long-standing members to participate in party decision-making, but as this decreases, there is a higher possibility that party decisions will reflect transient public opinion or current trends."

He also pointed out the lack of representation for the Yeongnam region. He said, "Currently, we have many party members in the Honam and metropolitan areas, but fewer in Yeongnam. As a result, the opinions of Yeongnam are not well reflected in our party," adding, "The delegate system was designed to allocate delegates regionally, including Yeongnam delegates, but as the proportion of delegates decreases, the voice of Yeongnam is inevitably diminished."

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