Possibility of 'Lee Nak-yeon New Party'... "Higher than Gaeddal Party" "No Concrete Flow"

Amid various rumors of new political parties ahead of the general election, speculation about a new party centered around former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon is gaining momentum. This is because Lee has criticized the current Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's system and shown sympathy for the third political force, and recently has also been in communication with former prime ministers. There are even predictions that if the 'Lee Nak-yeon new party' emerges, it could be better than the current Democratic Party. However, there are also skeptical responses saying that 'there are no concrete movements yet.'

On the 5th, Hong Ik-pyo, the Democratic Party floor leader, said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "So far, there is no clear flow or visible movement toward a new party, and I think it is necessary for our party to harmonize well and engage in dialogue to prevent such a situation from arising."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In an interview with Yonhap News TV the day before, former leader Lee criticized the Democratic Party, saying, "The Democratic Party's two immune systems?internal diversity and intra-party democracy?have collapsed," and hinted at the possibility of a 'third force' by stating, "I sympathize with the purpose of consolidating the third force." Recently, he also met twice with former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum.

Based on this, his new party speculation is gaining weight, but there are criticisms that there is no concrete substance. Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon from the non-Myeong faction also questioned on BBS's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal' that day, "Is there any substance (to the new party) now?" and pointed out, "The media often attaches 'new party' after a person's name, like 'Lee Nak-yeon new party' or 'Lee Jun-seok new party,' because Lee is a well-known politician who could act as a focal point, but (there is no substance)."

On the other hand, Lee Sang-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker who recently left the party criticizing the issue of 'fandom politics,' said on YTN radio the day before, "If you look at the context of what former leader Lee has been saying, it seems like he has made up his mind," and positively evaluated, "(If Lee is) rebuilding the former Democratic Party that valued democracy and human rights as the highest values and worked to realize them, then I think it would be superior to the current Gaeddal Party and Lee Jae-myung's faction."

Former leader Lee has said he will soon clarify his position on whether to form a new party but is still cautious. Regarding the new party formation rumors the day before, he said, "It shouldn't be dragged on too long; I will speak when my thoughts are organized and the time comes," and on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' he took a reserved stance on the new party, saying, "If the party becomes sufficiently attractive and trustworthy in the eyes of the public, such talks can be silenced."

Regarding the recent rumors of a 'former prime ministers' alliance' following his meetings with former Prime Minister Kim, he dismissed them, saying, "There has been no progress to that (alliance) yet. There is no exploration of that either; it is just that we have a very deep sense of problem about the current situation," and added, "We were very worried about the party's situation and concerned about the country; that was the extent of it."