"National Destiny Cannot Be Pioneered by Anti-Parties"
"No Specific Actions Will Be Decided for the Time Being"
Rep. Sang-min Lee, a five-term lawmaker who left the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) citing issues with 'fandom politics' within the party, harshly criticized the 'Yoon Seok-yeol Resignation Party' and 'Prosecutorial Reform Party' reportedly being formed by former DPK leader Song Young-gil, calling them 'uncivilized.'
On the 4th, during SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' and MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Rep. Lee said, "While anyone can form a political organization, a party that exists solely to oppose a specific individual is actually very backward, and in my view, somewhat uncivilized."
He added, "In the current Korean political landscape, it is impossible to overcome the situation or pioneer the nation's destiny with parties that exclude or are anti-certain individuals alone. What the people want is a party that improves citizens' lives, advances the nation's fortune, and is more competent, effective, and humble in serving public sentiment."
When asked whether he would join the People Power Party or a new party, he responded, "For the time being, I have not decided on any specific direction or course of action and intend to observe the situation. Where is there a fully intact party in our political sphere? All have significant flaws, which are not easily or quickly remedied. Although there are movements within new parties to improve these issues, they are only in motion and have not yet materialized."
He continued, "I am keeping all possibilities open. I am trying to unite new political forces, and there are also efforts to rebuild the Democratic Party. Initially, but if various circumstances do not favor this, I will consider all options and make a choice accordingly."
Regarding analyses suggesting that the People Power Party recently made Daejeon Yuseong-eul a by-election district to vacate the chairmanship for him, he said, "That is an internal matter of the People Power Party, so I do not know much about it. I am not sure why it happened."
He strongly urged the unification of forces such as former Rep. Geum Tae-seop, who is leading a third-zone new party, former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, who is reportedly pushing for a new party, and former DPK leader Lee Nak-yeon, around whom new party rumors are circulating. He said, "(The unification) is difficult, but precisely because it is difficult, there is a greater need to do it. If the two parties remain in a hostile symbiotic relationship that prevents Korean politics from progressing and instead causes regression, then a more competent and smarter third or fourth party must emerge."
He added, "If we are determined to upgrade Korean politics and truly improve it significantly, each side must greatly compromise their political orientations or leadership ambitions, join hands with other political forces, form alliances, and present a political force that can rival the two major parties. Wouldn't the people trust and cast their votes for such a force?"
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