Lee Nak-yeon to Leave Democratic Party in Three Days... Accelerating 'New Party Formation'

Lee Nak-yeon Side "Press Conference on Leaving the Party at the National Assembly on the 11th"
New Party to Accelerate... Founding to be Completed by Early February

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon will announce his departure from the party on the 11th.

A spokesperson for Lee said in a notice on the afternoon of the 8th, "A press conference for his departure will be held at the National Assembly on the 11th." Lee has criticized the leadership of Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, saying that "intra-party democracy has disappeared," and has been conducting behind-the-scenes preparations for founding a new party. He demanded a transition to an emergency committee system based on Lee Jae-myung's resignation, but when this was not accepted, it appears he ultimately decided to establish a new party.

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

After paying respects at the Gwangju National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery the day before, Lee told reporters, "There are matters to discuss with comrades, but I think I should greet people and ask for forgiveness later this week," hinting at his departure. He particularly emphasized that his move is to offer an alternative to the "political structure monopolized by the incompetent and corrupt two major parties," calling it "a reconstruction and expansion effort of the opposition."

Lee originally planned to set a 'D-day' in mid-month to prepare for the party founding, but the attempt was delayed due to the attack on Lee Jae-myung. The press conference scheduled for the 11th is said to be a farewell to the Democratic Party rather than a 'party founding declaration.' However, with the Lunar New Year holiday approaching, which is a major schedule before the general election, he intends to complete the party founding process by early February. It is reported that a timetable has been set to hold the founding initiators' meeting as early as mid-month.

The possibility of a 'third zone big tent' is also raising expectations. On the 9th, at the book launch event of Yang Hyang-ja, leader of Hope of Korea, Lee is expected to meet with Lee Jun-seok, chairman of the Reform New Party's Policy Committee, and Geum Tae-seop, co-leader of New Choice. If members of the reformist group 'Principles and Common Sense,' who are expected to make a decision on their future soon, also proceed with their departure, the impact within the Democratic Party is expected to grow even larger.

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