Lee Nak-yeon Announces Party Exit This Week... "A Conscience That Does Not Act Is Evil"

"Choices for Those Who Dislike Both Parties"

Former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee Nak-yeon, announced that he plans to declare his departure from the party this week.

After paying respects at the Gwangju National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery on the 7th, Lee told reporters in response to a question about his 'plans to leave the party,' "There are matters that need to be discussed with comrades, but I think I should greet people and ask for forgiveness in the latter part of this week."

Former leader of the Democratic Party Lee Nak-yeon is speaking after paying respects at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the morning of the 7th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the possibility of a third-party merger, he said, "Anyone who shares the intention to break the duopoly of the two major parties and offer the people a new hopeful choice should cooperate," keeping the door open. However, when asked about the 'Nak-Seok Alliance' with former leader Lee Jun-seok, he said, "I don't want to accept that term (Nak-Seok·落石) as it seems to have an intention," adding, "Now is not the stage to bring up that discussion first."

When asked if there are incumbent lawmakers who have expressed their intention to join, he replied, "It will gradually become clear." Especially regarding incumbents in the Honam region, he was reserved, saying, "The political position of politicians should not be spoken of by others," and "I hope they will participate."

Lee Nak-yeon said, "At the ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of President Kim Dae-jung's birth yesterday, former President Moon Jae-in said, 'Politics must create hope again,'" and added, "I interpret this as meaning that current politics is failing to create hope." He continued, "The duopoly of incompetent and corrupt major parties is suffocating South Korea," emphasizing, "This is not for those who like the two major parties, but to offer choices and unite those who dislike both parties, and this is the work of rebuilding and expanding the opposition."

A guestbook entry written by former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon on the 7th before paying respects at the Gwangju National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He also said, "Former President Kim Dae-jung said, 'A conscience that does not act is on the side of evil,'" and argued, "Knowing that politics is going wrong but not acting is standing on the side of evil."

During the visit, Lee knelt down and shed tears, paying respects to the graves of unknown martyrs and democracy activist Na Byung-sik.

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