Defectors from the People Party Join Hands with Lee Nak-yeon for 'Democratic Solidarity'... "Clearing the Shield for Lee Jae-myung"

Lawmakers Seol Hoon, Hong Young-pyo, and Park Young-soon, who left the Democratic Party of Korea, along with Kim Jong-min, co-leader of Saeroun Mirae, declared the formation of the 'Democratic Coalition' under the banner of Lee Jae-myung's 'Ending Shield Politics.' These defectors plan to first join hands with Saeroun Mirae, led by Lee Nak-yeon, and unite with all forces agreeing to judge President Yoon Seok-youl and Lee Jae-myung.

On the morning of the 7th, lawmakers Seol Hoon, Hong Young-pyo, Kim Jong-min, and Park Young-soon held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, "We will promote the formation of a Democratic Coalition where true democratic forces and those pursuing political reform can all come together," and added, "We will join forces with everyone who hopes for the 'judgment of Yoon Seok-youl' and the 'ending of Lee Jae-myung's shield,' including Saeroun Mirae." They emphasized, "We will not stop at judging the Yoon Seok-youl administration but will fundamentally end shield politics."

Seol Hoon, Hong Young-pyo, Kim Jong-min, and Park Young-soon, members who left the Democratic Party of Korea, are holding a press conference to form the Democratic Alliance at the National Assembly on the 7th. They stated, "We will join forces with everyone who hopes to judge Yoon Seok-yeol, including the New Future, and to clear the shield around Lee Jae-myung." Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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Lawmaker Hong Young-pyo said, "If things continue like this, the judgment of the Yoon Seok-youl administration will be lost, resulting in the worst disliked election following a disliked presidential election," and stressed, "We will cut off the imperial presidency and imperial party leadership." In particular, he expressed the vision to realize the spirit of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun and the dream of multi-party democracy as a true Democratic Party, and announced plans to officially launch the 'Democratic Coalition' next week through a coalition process including Saeroun Mirae.

After the press conference, the lawmakers hinted at the possibility of 'additional members joining' from inside and outside the National Assembly when meeting with reporters. When asked whether there were behind-the-scenes inquiries for additional members, Lawmaker Seol Hoon replied, "It is difficult to announce now, but it will come out within this week." Lawmaker Hong Young-pyo said, "There are one or two among the incumbents, but I hope more people who share the same will come out," leaving open the possibility of outside forces joining.

Seol Hoon, Hong Young-pyo, Kim Jong-min, and Park Young-soon, members who left the Democratic Party of Korea, are holding a press conference to form the Democratic Alliance at the National Assembly on the 7th. They stated, "We will join forces with everyone who hopes to judge Yoon Seok-yeol, including the New Future, and to clear the shield around Lee Jae-myung." Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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Regarding speculation that the defectors would join forces with Lee Nak-yeon's faction and change the Saeroun Mirae party name to 'Democratic Coalition,' they distanced themselves from this. Lawmaker Hong said, "The only legally registered party with the Election Commission is Saeroun Mirae," and added, "Changing the party name or leader takes considerable procedural time." Lawmaker Seol Hoon explained, "Changing the party name involves internal party procedures and Election Commission procedures, so we are discussing what is desirable," and further stated, "If we proceed without changing the name, we will create a 'Democratic Coalition Promotion Committee' and continue efforts to enable the 'true Democratic Party' to unite in a situation where democracy is collapsing."

Kim Jong-min, co-leader of Saeroun Mirae, previously worked within the Democratic Party's reformist group 'Principles and Common Sense' and founded Saeroun Mirae together with Lee Nak-yeon. Lawmakers Seol Hoon, Hong Young-pyo, and Park Young-soon left the party in protest against Lee Jae-myung's private recommendations and other issues arising during the nomination process, including low evaluation results. Details on the specific form of coalition between these defectors and Saeroun Mirae, as well as the joining members, are expected to be disclosed on the 12th.

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