Lee Nak-yeon: "No Answer with Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung"... Suggests New Party Formation Consecutively

"Political Alternatives Inevitable for South Korea's Survival... Just Started Preparing"

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon hinted at the possibility of founding a new party on the 9th, saying, "I have come to the conviction that a political alternative is inevitable for the survival of the Republic of Korea."

Lee made these remarks to reporters at a book launch event for Nam Pyung-oh, former Chief of the Civil Affairs Office at the Prime Minister's Secretariat. In his congratulatory speech, Lee said, "Unfortunately, since last year's presidential election, the test question has been exactly 'Choose between Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung,' and that test question remains the same now," adding, "If this continues, next year's test will be the same for the third year, and many people will say 'there is no answer to the test question.'

Former Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Comparing next year's general election to a 'multiple-choice test,' Lee said, "We need to present a third answer and ask people to choose it," and pointed out, "This is not about taking away those who prefer either the ruling or opposition party, so those people should not be upset. Rather, if we absorb the voices of the people that the two major parties cannot, shouldn't they be grateful?"

He continued, "If it's about losing votes, then efforts should be made, but instead, they keep just complaining," and criticized the two major parties, saying, "If the maintenance of vested interests depends on blocking choices, that would be problematic." He emphasized, "It is time to put forward another answer on a test paper with no correct answer."

When asked by reporters whether he had made up his mind about founding a new party and about the specific timing of its establishment, Lee said, "I am not setting a date in advance," but added, "I have become convinced that a political alternative is inevitable for the survival of the Republic of Korea. Preparations for that have just begun."

In an interview with MBC's 'News Outside' the previous day, Lee also expressed his intention to found a new party, saying, "It is a natural duty to present new options and new visions to the people who are despairing about politics and worried about the country." When asked if he had started practical preparations related to the party's founding, he said, "It should be done," but avoided a definitive answer by adding, "My decision must be finalized."