Democratic Party Faces Growing Centrifugal Force... Lee Nak-yeon Likely to Found New Party

Democratic Party Faces Calls for Reform... Lee Jae-myung Remains Silent
Former Prime Minister Lee to Officially Launch New Party Next Week
'Donggyodong Faction' Lee Seok-hyun Declares Joining New Party

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon’s proposed 'time for decision' is imminent. As Representative Lee Jae-myung has not responded to calls for reform, Lee Nak-yeon is expected to make a 'decision to part ways' in the first week of the new year. Attention is focused on whether the 'Lee Nak-yeon New Party' will lead to a reorganization of the opposition.

According to political circles on the 29th, Representative Lee Jae-myung had a luncheon meeting with former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun the day before. Former Prime Minister Chung mentioned the four-character idiom 'Hyeonaesalsu (懸崖撒手 ? letting go of the hand holding onto a cliff)' and emphasized 'decision' to Representative Lee. It was a strong demand to respond to calls for reform raised inside and outside the party for victory in the general election. However, it is known that no specific method, such as resignation from the representative position or transition to an emergency committee system, was specified.

Former Leader of the Democratic Party Lee Nak-yeon [Image Source=Yonhap News]

Representative Lee also met with former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum on the 20th to exchange opinions. At that time, former Prime Minister Kim reportedly mentioned the experience of losing elections due to past opposition party divisions, saying, "If there is division, it will have a great negative impact on the general election." He expressed concerns about the strong supporters called 'Gaeddal' (literally 'dog daughters'). Outwardly, it is interpreted that Representative Lee expressed willingness to embrace the non-Myung faction through his own unification efforts. However, the general view is that the possibility of accepting the 'formation of a unified emergency committee premised on resignation from the representative position,' as demanded by former Prime Minister Lee and others, is low.

Ultimately, former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon is expected to make a 'decision to part ways.' At a book launch event for former Goyang Mayor Choi Sung the day before, he said, "It would be appropriate to announce my position or decision within the first week of January next year," adding, "I promised to give the Democratic Party time until the end of the year and to report to the public early in the new year, so I will keep that promise." When asked about a meeting with Representative Lee Jae-myung, he said, "There has been no progress in negotiations through close aides, so negotiations are currently suspended." He also referred to the Lee Jae-myung?Chung Sye-kyun meeting the day before, saying, "Didn’t Representative Lee give no answer?"

Former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lee Seok-hyun is holding a press conference on leaving the Democratic Party of Korea at the National Assembly on the 29th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Initially assessed as lacking momentum, the 'Lee Nak-yeon New Party' is gaining traction as the 'D-Day,' known to be in mid-January next year, approaches. On the same day, former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lee Seok-hyun, a politician from the 'Donggyo-dong faction,' held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and declared, "I am leaving the Democratic Party," sharply criticizing, "Morality and fairness have disappeared from the Democratic Party due to Representative Lee Jae-myung’s selfishness." He added, "If we close our ears to principles and ridicule common sense, we will eventually sink into shipwreck," and announced, "I will form a new party with former Representative Lee Nak-yeon." He particularly emphasized, "The Democratic Party says there is no public support for the new party, but the center is silent, not thoughtless."

He is the second figure to express willingness to join the new party, following former Goyang Mayor Choi Sung, who recently challenged a pro-Myung constituency but was defeated. There is also a possibility that many incumbents who were dropped during the nomination screening process or members of the reformist group 'Principles and Common Sense' will join early next year.

However, the party leadership sees no practical benefit in Representative Lee Jae-myung stepping down with only about 100 days left until the general election. Since Representative Lee stands at the center of the support base, transitioning to an emergency committee is considered unrealistic. A key Democratic Party official told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "We are well aware of the urgent calls for innovation competition, such as the launch of the Han Dong-hoon emergency committee or Lee Jun-seok’s new party," but added, "That is why we believe the progressive camp must unite around Representative Lee Jae-myung even more."

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