Sangmin Lee: "Lee Jun-seok's Possibility of Joining New Party Is Open... Will Announce Position Within a Month"

"200 Seats in the Seoul Metropolitan Area? Ridiculous Talk"

It has been reported that former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, who is known to be pushing for a new party, met with Lee Sang-min, a representative figure of the non-mainstream faction and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, raising speculation about Lee's possible joining of the new party. Lee Sang-min stated that he is "open" to the possibility of joining.

On the 7th, in response to a question about the possibility of joining on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Lee said, "Isn't the possibility open in any case as long as it is not a bad thing?" and added, "I think I need to sort out my position first before I can say anything further."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, former leader Lee Jun-seok revealed in a media interview that he is pushing for a new party and has recently been in contact with figures from the non-mainstream faction. Subsequent reports identified Lee Sang-min as that non-mainstream figure.

While keeping the possibility open, Lee Sang-min emphasized that the process of deciding his own position must come first. He said, "Rather than continuing to bicker inside, I also mentioned that we need to be prepared for a pleasant separation," and added, "I need to quickly decide whether I should have a pleasant separation or whether I should burn myself out through fierce internal struggles."

He plans to make a decision within a month. Lee said, "I personally think going until the end of December is too late. I intend to decide before then," and questioned, "With the general election just around the corner, would the public really give their votes if political forces delay and then suddenly appear?"

Regarding his meeting with former leader Lee Jun-seok, he revealed that he encouraged the founding of a new party. He said, "Rather than trying to do something with the People Power Party and exhausting energy that way, how about starting a new party like entrepreneurs starting a startup from scratch?" and added, "There are limits to what former leader Lee can do alone. While he has strengths, there are also limits, so various forces need to unite. These were my thoughts that I shared."

Regarding the talk within the Democratic Party about winning "200 seats in the metropolitan area," he said, "That's really ridiculous," and criticized, "That is truly an arrogant and conceited thought. If such ideas are widely spread within the Democratic Party, I would say it is suffering from a serious illness that is hard to talk about any further."

On former Minister Cho Kuk hinting at a possible candidacy the day before, he said, "I think he will (run)," and added, "Forcing someone to run or not run based on the party's interests is also an overreach."