"No Demonization"... Senior Opposition Figures Deliver 'Lee Nak-yeon Inclusion' Message

As the Democratic Party of Korea is reportedly launching an 'isolation operation' against former party leader Lee Nak-yeon through initiatives such as a petition by first-term lawmakers and meetings with former prime ministers, senior party figures are continuously sending messages urging Lee Jae-myung, the current party leader, to embrace Lee Nak-yeon. This appears to be based on the calculation that if Lee Nak-yeon forms a new party, it would inevitably deal a blow in next year's general election.

On the 19th, former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won appeared on the YouTube program 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' and emphasized inclusion, saying, "Under no circumstances should we demonize former leader Lee. Leader Lee should embrace him." He had also suggested the day before on KBC's 'Yeouido Invitation' that "Leader Lee should at least visit former leader Lee at his home to meet him."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

First-term lawmakers in the Democratic Party have opposed former leader Lee's official move to establish a new party through a petition, and Leader Lee has been planning a series of meetings with former Prime Ministers Kim Boo-kyum and Chung Sye-kyun. This has led to analyses within political circles that the Democratic Party is effectively conducting an 'isolation operation' against Lee Nak-yeon. Lee Sang-min, who left the Democratic Party, said on YTN's 'Shin Yul's News Face-off,' "I think this is an intention not just to isolate but to starve him out."

However, there are also concerns that if former leader Lee succumbs to this pressure and leaves the party to form a new one, it could lead to a 'split within the enemy' in the general election. Former Director Park's call for 'inclusion' also comes from this context. Earlier, on his social media, Park stated, "The spirit of DJ (Kim Dae-jung), who cared for democracy and the people, is unity. Leader Lee should communicate, and former leader Lee should refrain from forming a new party to uphold DJ's spirit." He added, "For the powerless opposition party, the Democratic Party, unity is the only way to survive."

Former Prime Minister Kim also urged Leader Lee to take a 'generous step.' On the 18th, at the screening of the film 'Kim Dae-jung on the Road,' he told reporters, "I asked Leader Lee to take a broader step for the party," and "Please create a greater current of history centered on the Democratic Party." This was interpreted as a call to embrace former leader Lee. Kim is scheduled to meet with Leader Lee again on the 20th, where he is expected to reiterate the call for inclusion of former leader Lee.

Former leader Lee has also softened his stance on 'forming a new party' and expressed openness to dialogue. On the previous day’s KBS program 'Sasa Geon Geon,' he said, "If there is a groundbreaking change even now, I am willing to have discussions with the Democratic Party and talk about various matters together," leaving open the possibility of meeting with Leader Lee.

This has reignited the possibility of the so-called 'Myung-Nak meeting.' Pro-Lee Jang Kyung-tae, a Supreme Council member, also appeared on YTN's 'The News' that day and said, "(The Myung-Nak meeting) is reportedly continuing through contact via the chief secretary," adding, "Since they are in contact, it is expected that it might happen after meeting the two former prime ministers (Kim Boo-kyum and Chung Sye-kyun)."

Meanwhile, within the ruling party, there was a sudden 'love call' toward former leader Lee. Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, wrote on his social media, "Former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil was arrested after reaching the peak of hypocrisy. Taking this as an opportunity, I hope former leader Lee also escapes the Democratic Party and comes to the ruling party," adding, "I hope you join the People Power Party and share a great vision."

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