Lee Won-wook: "There Are Only Two Major Parties, No Party to Serve as a Middle Arbiter"

"Arbitration Proposal Was Persuasive but... Different from What Was Requested"

The non-mainstream faction of the Democratic Party of Korea, 'Principles and Affiliation' (Lee Won-wook, Kim Jong-min, Cho Eung-cheon, Yoon Young-chan), has warned that they will leave the party if Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, does not decide to transition to an integrated emergency response committee. Meanwhile, some lawmakers reportedly proposed a mediation plan to dissuade them from leaving. However, the 'Principles and Affiliation' members stated that although the mediation plan was "persuasive," it differed from their demands and was therefore not accepted.

On the 10th, Representative Lee Won-wook appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and explained the situation: "Since yesterday afternoon, some lawmakers?not close aides of Leader Lee Jae-myung?have proposed a mediation plan, suggesting delaying the departure until around Sunday." Regarding the contents of the mediation plan, he said, "It involves forming an early integrated election campaign committee. Since this differs from what we have been demanding, it is not worth considering. The only solution now is the integrated emergency response committee, and since the date is a public promise, it cannot be postponed. We asked for a response by 9:40 a.m. today."

Members of the non-mainstream group 'Principles and Common Sense' of the Democratic Party of Korea. From the left: Lee Won-wook, Kim Jong-min, Cho Eung-cheon, Yoon Young-chan. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Facing the prospect of leaving the party, Representative Lee shared his feelings, saying, "I am still contemplating it." He added, "I have spent 27 years in the Democratic Party. I joined during President Kim Dae-jung's election campaign, served as a central party official, and for 16 years in Hwaseong, I have worked to transform a completely barren area into a land of democracy."

Regarding his plans after leaving the party, Representative Lee expressed a desire to play a role in unifying the 'new party big tent.' He explained, "There is no parliamentary judgment to overcome hate politics. There are only two major parties, and no party in the middle to act as a judge. As a result, extreme conflicts continue."

He continued, "If there were a casting vote party in the middle, wouldn't the endless struggles in the National Assembly decrease somewhat? Although we have not yet established a new party, if the groups preparing for it continue to split, can they offer the public hope as an alternative party? That is why I want to play a role in unifying the whole."

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