Ahn Gyu-baek: "Lee Nak-yeon will hit the brakes... You can't say everything you want"

Ahn Gyu-baek, Democratic Party Lawmaker, KBS Radio Interview
"Other Management Besides the Democratic Party? ... Nonsense"

Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Kyu-baek emphasized the need to refrain from the 'family feud' surrounding the 'Lee Nak-yeon new party theory,' saying, "Representative Lee Nak-yeon is pressing the accelerator, but after some time, he will step on the brake."

On the 13th, Ahn appeared on the special KBS 1 Radio program 'Today' and said, "Eighty percent of what made former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon was the Democratic Party, and Lee Nak-yeon is the Democratic Party," adding, "Lee Nak-yeon is a person with very strong pride and self-esteem, but would he really leave the Democratic Party behind and start another household? I have a big question mark about that."

Regarding the 'Lee Nak-yeon new party founding theory,' he said, "I think it is somewhat nonsensical. Even when the Open Democratic Party and the Democratic Party split in 2003, he remained loyal to the Democratic Party despite serving as spokesperson during President Roh Moo-hyun's administration," emphasizing, "All members who make up our Democratic Party must make efforts and show utmost sincerity to be with him. That is the duty of a member."

Former leader of the Democratic Party Lee Nak-yeon is seen seeing off Independent lawmaker Lee Sang-min after having a conversation at his office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News

Ahn also said the possibility of a Nakjun (Lee Nak-yeon and Lee Jun-seok) alliance is slim. He said, "There is a saying, 'ice and fire cannot coexist,' water and oil do not mix well," adding, "Anyone can meet anyone, but because the reasons and depths of thought are different and they have lived on different trajectories, I think it is quite unrealistic to expect them to become one entity."

Regarding the 'Sakura (turncoat politician) debate' happening within the Democratic Party, he said, "Party members must exercise restraint and patience with each other," adding, "You cannot say everything you want; we must endure and endure again to move forward together as one member."

Ahn said, "Even if the people want to vote for our Democratic Party, they would never vote for a party with deep internal strife," and added, "At times like this, I hope everyone takes a step back, reflects, cherishes, and thinks about comrades."

Regarding the expectation that a natural meeting will take place among Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, former leader Lee Nak-yeon, and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, who have been invited to the documentary film screening of 'Kim Dae-jung on the Road' on the 18th, he said, "They are elders who have led our party and all seniors, so if they meet and talk, I think they will laugh heartily and melt away like spring snow," adding, "That is the great inherent strength of the Democratic Party."

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