Lee Nak-yeon "Meeting with Lee Jae-myung? Taking just one photo is meaningless"

"If this system remains, I don't need to be here"
"There will be an opportunity to speak about forming a new party before it's too late"

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon commented on the possibility of meeting with party leader Lee Jae-myung, saying, "If it’s just about taking a photo together to appear united, then it has no meaning." On the 7th, Lee appeared on YTN News Rider and stated, "If there is a confirmed will to radically change the Democratic Party, I would meet even today."

Lee added, "It seems like you are meeting certain people even now, but when I hear what they say, it’s just along the lines of 'Please help us.' There doesn’t seem to be much intention on how to proceed," and said, "With that approach, it is difficult to fully regain the trust of the people." He also mentioned that he has never received an official proposal to meet from Lee’s side.

Former Lee Nak-yeon, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "(Currently, the Democratic Party) is basically saying, 'The party will continue as it is, so just follow without saying anything,' but if this system is to continue as is, then why would someone like me be needed? Just let things go as they are," emphasizing, "I repeat, the Democratic Party must show signs of change to promise victory in the general election."

Regarding the forecast of nomination disadvantages for the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction in next year’s general election, he said, "I don’t really know," but added, "The Democratic Party occasionally surpasses my imagination. So it’s hard to predict what might happen." He continued, "Recently, some have absurdly suggested that my actions are about bargaining for nominations for my people, but that’s not true. I have no intention of bargaining."

He dismissed rumors of a 'former prime ministers’ alliance' involving Kim Boo-kyum and Chung Sye-kyun. Lee said, "I have met with them one-on-one on other occasions or intentionally, and while we shared concerns about issues, the party, and the country, we never discussed taking any action," adding, "Moreover, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is the chairman of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, though the youngest among the three of us, has declared his retirement from politics, so there are limitations to their activities."

Regarding the possibility of founding a new party, he said, "That’s a premature question," and added, "There will be an opportunity to speak about it before long," but refrained from elaborating.