Lee Jun-seok and Lee Eon-ju Together in a 'Talk Concert'... Expanding Influence of Non-Yoon Faction

Ruling Party Stirred by 'Non-Liberal New Party Formation Rumors'
Lee Jun-seok "Won't Exclude New Party"
Lee Eon-ju "Too Frustrated to Stay Like This"

With the general election scheduled for next year, rumors of a new party formation continue to circulate mainly within the ruling party, drawing attention as former People Power Party (PPP) leader Lee Jun-seok and former lawmaker Lee Eon-ju, both non-Yoon factions, are reportedly co-hosting a 'talk concert.'

Previously, former lawmaker Lee was disciplined with a 'warning' by the party ethics committee last month for remarks such as "If things continue like this, the PPP will suffer a total defeat in the general election." Having long been at odds with President Yoon Suk-yeol and the pro-Yoon leadership of the PPP, the ruling party is on high alert regarding the impact of the two figures' meeting and its potential effects on the general election.

Former lawmaker Eonju Lee. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

On the 26th, in an interview with BBS Radio, former lawmaker Lee said regarding the talk concert with former leader Lee Jun-seok, "The concert is not being held with the intention of forming a new party; we have been discussing this for some time," adding, "We talked about seeking alternatives as young politicians and expressed frustration at just staying as we are."

He explained, "Personally, I think receiving a nomination from the PPP in the current state is not very honorable," and added, "I can run as an independent and break through on my own strength, and if there are like-minded people, we could form a new party." Former leader Lee also stated in an MBC Radio interview the day before, "We do not rule out the possibility of a new party formation."

About six months ahead of next year's general election, rumors of new party formation continue to emerge within the ruling party. Following the PPP's crushing defeat in the by-election for the mayor of Gangseo District, Seoul, speculation has run rampant that non-Yoon factions, including former leader Lee, will leave the party to create a new one.

The departure of non-Yoon factions has already begun. Shin In-kyu, a former PPP deputy spokesperson classified as part of the Lee Jun-seok faction, held a press conference at the National Assembly the day before and declared his departure, stating, "Since President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration, he has blatantly privatized the ruling party over the past year and a half."

Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The departure of non-Yoon factions and the formation of a new party are unwelcome developments for the PPP, as there is concern that conservative votes will be split in the general election. In response, some within the ruling party have proposed a 'reconciliation theory' advocating embracing figures like former leader Lee to contest the election together; however, judging from the statements of non-Yoon faction members, they appear to have effectively rejected this idea.

The non-Yoon faction also generally holds a negative view of the 'In Yo-han Innovation Committee,' which was launched after the Gangseo District mayoral defeat. Former leader Lee wrote on Facebook, "Since the Innovation Committee has no real power, it will just be used to silence senior lawmakers, but the people did not judge the senior lawmakers this time," adding, "There is only one person the people point to as needing to change." This is interpreted as targeting President Yoon.