"Could Become a Political Orphan" Lee Jun-seok's Party Resignation Met with Cold Evaluation from the Ruling Party

"Han Dong-hoon Innovating with Emergency Committee... New Party Has Little Influence"
Cheon Ah-yong from Yongin Kim Yong-tae "No Justification for New Party... Will Stay in Party"

With about 100 days left until the general election, the evaluation of former leader Lee Jun-seok, who declared his departure from the People Power Party, is cold within the party. There is an analysis that Lee Jun-seok's new party will not have a significant impact on the People Power Party.

Lee Yang-su, the senior deputy floor leader, appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' on the 28th and said, "(Former leader Lee's departure) was anticipated, so there was not much shock," adding, "In the past, we would have closely watched the shock caused by his departure, but now the party is focusing on new changes and innovation centered around Chairman Han, so (his departure) does not have a big impact." He continued, "We need to observe the situation going forward, but this is a time when the smart and capable former leader Lee could potentially become a political orphan," advising, "It is desirable to maintain ties with our party and always have a cooperative and tense relationship."

Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok held a press conference at a restaurant in Nowon-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 27th, announcing his departure from the People Power Party and the formation of a new party, then leaving the press conference venue.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Assemblyman Yoo Sang-beom evaluated that former leader Lee had a negative impact on youth politics. On the same day, Yoo said on YTN Radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon' that "At the time when former leader Lee first appeared, there were expectations for new changes, but what he showed during his evolution was internal conflict, mockery and criticism, and rudeness, which are negative influences," adding, "As a result, he lost public support."

Yoo said, "When a new party is launched, it should gather important politicians, but Kim Yong-tae, former Supreme Council member of Cheon Ah-yong-in (Cheon Ha-ram, former chairman of the Suncheon Gap district party committee in Jeonnam; Assemblyman Heo Eun-ah; former Supreme Council member Kim Yong-tae; and Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly member Lee Gi-in) is excluded from the founding, and Chairman Cheon is said to be running under the People Power Party," adding, "I doubt how much momentum Lee Jun-seok's new party will have when key aides are missing." Among Cheon Ah-yong-in, Chairman Cheon is scheduled to hold a press conference at the National Assembly on the morning of the 29th to announce his position. Assemblyman Heo said through a media notice that she would release her position next week.

Former Supreme Council member Kim Yong-tae, who announced his intention to remain in the People Power Party without joining Lee Jun-seok's new party, said, "From my perspective, the path of founding a new party lacks justification and does not align with my principles." On the same day, Kim said on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "There are ways to change the party by voicing opinions and innovating within the party to operate it well under the principles of a liberal democratic system, and ways to create a party that embodies such values," adding, "I chose the former path."

He also viewed the success of Lee Jun-seok's new party as dependent on Han Dong-hoon’s emergency committee. Kim said, "Han Dong-hoon's emergency committee will face its first test, and if the People Power Party changes as the moderate public wants, Lee Jun-seok's new party may face difficulties, but if it fails, disappointed citizens in the two-party system may look to Lee Jun-seok's new party."

Meanwhile, former leader Lee officially announced the founding of a new party as he declared his departure. At a press conference held the day before, he said, "I am leaving the People Power Party today," and "At the same time, I am giving up all the political assets I had in the People Power Party."

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