"Geum Tae-seop and Ryu Ho-jeong's New Party, Not Sure How Many Will Remain Later"
"I Think There Are People Who Will Declare Leaving Together on the 27th"
Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon has been making remarks suggesting the formation of a 'new party' day after day, sparking speculation about a so-called 'Nak-Jun alliance' with former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok. In response, former leader Lee Jun-seok stated that "it will be difficult for Lee Nak-yeon's side to take action" and that he is watching their movements.
On the 11th, in MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' former leader Lee Jun-seok said, "As for me, I have been vigorously attacked by President Yoon Seok-yeol and his close aides for a year and a half, so that has already accumulated. But for former leader Lee Nak-yeon, the public is still somewhat questioning, 'Huh? What exactly did Lee Nak-yeon suffer?' It’s a bit of a question mark situation," he said.
When the host asked, "Does that mean the credibility of the new party formation is declining?" former leader Lee Jun-seok replied, "If you are talking about the justification for election victory, for example, if you argue that it is difficult to win elections under Lee Jae-myung’s leadership and express various disagreements based on that, then conversely, it is similar to saying that things could go well if Lee Jae-myung steps down." He added, "I don’t know if that is the direction, but it is a different trajectory from mine."
He continued, "I think the actions of former leader Lee Nak-yeon’s side might actually be cautious," adding, "It is predictable, but it is very difficult to move in a situation where (Lee Jae-myung) has not yet been defeated, so I am watching."
Last week, former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop’s 'New Choice' party formation preparation committee and the Justice Party’s youth opinion group 'Third Power' declared the formation of a new party. When asked by the host if this meant that he would not form a new party with Geum Tae-seop’s new party, former leader Lee Jun-seok said, "We are not forming a new party together with them." He added, "I don’t even know who is in their party, and honestly, forming and merging parties is a very serious matter. Considering each of these things, we don’t know how many people will remain later, and who might actually be hiding inside."
Regarding Justice Party lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong joining forces with New Choice following their new party formation declaration, he said, "What can I say? They are just banding together," adding, "I cannot control who participates in the New Choice party, and it would be inappropriate for me to express an opinion on that."
He expressed his intention to leave the party if there is no change by the 27th of this month. He said, "The media says that leaving the party instead of forming a new party is a retreat, but it is impossible to form a new party without leaving first." He added, "Of course, I will start forming the new party immediately after leaving."
When asked if there might be others who will declare their departure on the same day, he replied, "I think there will be." When the host asked, "Is it possible to do it together among the so-called 'Cheon Ayongin'?" he also answered, "I think so." When the host asked again, "Have you talked about it? If so, how many people have you talked to?" he said, "I think we have talked," adding, "Of course, there might be some who have not made a final decision, but given the current political situation, I think almost all will participate."
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