Lee Nak-yeon Hints at Leaving Party... Speculation Grows Over 'New Party Big Tent' Alliance

"Lee's Withdrawal from Party is Virtually a Split" Political Sphere Anticipates Major Shift
Pro-Myeong Faction: "Low Possibility of New Party", "Honam Also Turns Away"

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon has hinted at leaving the party, raising the possibility of an alliance with other new parties.

Currently, the political sphere is seeing a surge in new party formations. With former leader Lee Nak-yeon suggesting his departure by saying, "If they push me out of the party, I have no choice but to accept it," expectations for a 'big tent' new party have grown. Lee's departure, as a presidential contender-level figure, is being analyzed by many in the political world as effectively a split within the Democratic Party (similar to former lawmaker Kim Yong-nam and Park Seong-min of political consulting firm Min). If Lee's departure materializes, a significant political upheaval is expected ahead of the general elections.

Figures suggested as potential allies with Lee Nak-yeon include former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil, former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, and former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok. There were also talks of an alliance with the Democratic Party's reform faction 'Principles and Common Sense,' but both sides denied any communication.

Former leader Lee Jun-seok said, "Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon is actually seen as a moderate figure from the Democratic Party by conservatives. There is no reason to dislike him. I view it positively," hinting at the possibility of an alliance. On the 6th, he appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "Some ask whether the possibility of a new party depends on the parallel or mixed-member proportional representation system, but it does not," arguing that expectations for a big tent new party will grow under either the parallel or regional proportional representation system.

He added, "Due to the nature of the prime minister's position, having served as the second-in-command of a government, there are cases where one inherits the government's mistakes. If former leader Lee has different thoughts regarding policies pursued during the Moon Jae-in administration, I would like to hear about them."

However, Lee Jun-seok dismissed plans to meet with Lee Nak-yeon, saying, "There are no plans to meet yet," and "Honestly, we have no interaction, so I don't know much about it."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The pro-Lee Jae-myung faction within the Democratic Party dismissed the possibility of Lee Nak-yeon's departure with cautious responses. Kim Young-jin, the party's chief political coordinator, said on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "Lee Nak-yeon's remarks are just his characteristic way of speaking and will not realistically lead to a new party," adding, "Lee Nak-yeon is not in a position to design or push forward a new party."

Park Joo-min, the Democratic Party's floor deputy leader, also said in an interview with SBS's Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show, "Lee Nak-yeon has loved the Democratic Party more than anyone and has been part of it for a long time," stating, "The possibility of a new party formation is very low."

Park added, "As a democratic organization, it is natural to have various voices and criticisms at that level," and said, "Since Lee Jae-myung always strives for unity, if necessary, he will meet with former leader Lee Nak-yeon or take various measures as mentioned."

Assemblyman Ahn Min-seok argued, "The nature of this general election is a judgment on the regime," and claimed, "Lee Nak-yeon's new party will be shunned even in Honam." On KBS's 'Special 1 Radio Today,' Ahn said, "Will Lee Nak-yeon's new party gain public support? It will face criticism rather than support," adding, "Especially in Honam, where the judgment on the regime is more intense than anywhere else, Lee Nak-yeon's new party will be shunned even there."

Ahn said, "For a new party to succeed, there must be a strong presidential contender. Lee Nak-yeon's presence has disappeared in recent presidential polls, so is a new party possible without a presidential contender?" He added, "Now is the time to unite firmly to judge the regime, and I hope Lee Jae-myung shows the role of a senior and elder fighting against the Yoon Seok-youl government, not as a party leader."