Yoon Geon-young: "I want to stop Lee Nak-yeon, who goes around carrying lunchboxes"

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon has officially announced plans to establish a new party early next year, while Yoon Gun-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker considered a close ally of the pro-Moon faction, expressed concerns, saying it is a "path that should not be taken."

On the 14th, Yoon said on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' program, "I believe that this is not helpful at all for the Republic of Korea, for the Democratic Party, or for Lee himself, whom I worry about. I feel like packing a lunchbox and going around to stop him."

Yoon Geon-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning at the Environment and Labor Committee's audit held at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Lee appeared on SBS the previous day and announced plans to form a new party next year, aiming to become the largest party in the National Assembly in the general election by pursuing an alliance with the third zone. He also expressed his determination to form a new party during an appearance on KBS radio that day.

However, Yoon criticized, "The path that Lee wants to take is not a choice for the party," adding, "As a result, his current actions lead to outcomes that even cast doubt on his affection."

He continued, "It does not help at all with the party innovation that Lee hopes for. What is needed now is fierce debate through which the Democratic Party continuously innovates," and said, "Through that, our party's role in the next general election is to stop the unilateral dominance of the Yoon Seok-yeol government, but I oppose that."

Regarding the movement of former lawmakers Geum Tae-seop, Yang Hyang-ja, and now Lee to lead a 'third zone new party' outside the Democratic Party, Yoon said, "Korean politics has always had an appeal to a third force," adding, "Regardless of the general election, about 15% of public support has been gathered for a third political force. From that broader perspective, I don't see it as anything special."

The Democratic Party held a party meeting that day to discuss electoral system reform. With Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung stating, "What's the use of winning stylishly," there is a growing possibility of abandoning the campaign pledge made during the presidential election to maintain the mixed-member proportional representation system and prevent satellite parties, and instead returning to a parallel proportional representation system or allowing the formation of satellite parties.

Regarding this, Yoon said, "Personally, I think no conclusion will be reached. It will take some time. One thing I want to say is that I hope the Democratic Party leadership conducts politics with confidence," adding, "No matter which path they take, I think it is right to clarify that path and seek the consent of the people."

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