Lee Jun-seok "Realization of Liberalism"... Mentions Political Force Coalition
Lee Nak-yeon "Sympathizes with Third Zone Purpose"... Will a New Party Be Realized?
Ahead of next year's general election, former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, who has embarked on the creation of a new party, stated that he wants to "realize liberalism" and is open to joining forces with political groups that share similar goals. Attention is focused on the possibility of a third political front materializing, especially as former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon has hinted at the potential for a new party.
Earlier, on the 4th, Lee Jun-seok said on 'KBS Special 1 Radio Evening' regarding the formation of a new party, "There are liberals in both the conservative and progressive camps, and those with such characteristics can work together," adding, "So far, conservative parties have won elections when these two forces combined."
Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok is speaking at the talk concert titled "Generation X and MZ Generation Political Experts Meet to Discuss Political Innovation and Future Vision," held on the afternoon of the 19th of last month at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News
In particular, he mentioned former leader Lee Nak-yeon, who is at the center of the new party speculation, saying that they could either form a new party together or form an alliance.
He said, "It depends greatly on what kind of politics Lee Nak-yeon wants to pursue. Since he served as prime minister under the Moon Jae-in administration, will he engage in politics from the position of continuing Moon Jae-in government policies, or will he act as an independent entity named Lee Nak-yeon? Depending on these factors, the direction could be very different," adding, "Once these things become clearer, I think it will be possible to consider political moves with Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon."
He continued, "In fact, I believe many people in South Korean politics have moved beyond the stage of thinking that conservatives are 100% right or progressives are 100% right," and said, "If so, I think people hope that at least reasonable individuals come together. I intend to consider this within that framework."
Former leader Lee Nak-yeon has also given weight to the idea of forming a new party. On the same day, he criticized political polarization on Yonhap News TV's 'News Focus,' expressing sympathy for the purpose of a third force and stating, "I will speak about it when the time comes" in relation to the formation of a new party.
Former leader of the Democratic Party Lee Nak-yeon is holding an invited lecture and book concert at the Busan City Council in Yeonje-gu, Busan, on the afternoon of the 25th. Photo by Yonhap News
Meanwhile, the 'Principles and Common Sense' group, composed of non-Lee Jae-myung (Bi-Lee Jae-myung) faction lawmakers, dismissed Lee Nak-yeon's move toward a new party, emphasizing that innovation within the Democratic Party should come first.
Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon said on the 5th on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal' regarding remarks by Bi-Lee Jae-myung faction lawmakers that "if the party leadership does not change by mid-December, we will make a decision," "The media seems to be pushing for an answer about leaving the party, but that is going too far," adding, "In this increasingly intense election atmosphere, I think the party cannot avoid responding to our demands."
Regarding the 'Lee Nak-yeon new party speculation,' he said, "We have no communication with (former leader) Lee Nak-yeon," emphasizing, "We are saying that the ruling Democratic Party should get closer to the people and win more of their hearts. In other words, the party should return to the Democratic Party of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, and furthermore, our claim is that Korean politics should be normalized."
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