Drawing a line at 'Myeongnak Hoedong'... "It only matters if it's about taking photos and showing them"
On the 13th, Lee Nak-yeon, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, officially announced plans to establish a new party next year, saying, "I will embrace new hope in the new year." He also expressed his ambition to become the largest party in the National Assembly in the upcoming general election, stating, "If it were up to my ambition, we should become the first party."
On the same day, Lee appeared on SBS and responded "Yes" when asked if he would actually form a new party. He added, "I want to offer even a small hope to the despairing people and be someone they can talk to; this direction is certain."
Regarding the timing of the new party's establishment, he said, "We are in the initial stages of practical work," and added, "I will share more with new hope early in the new year."
When asked about the members of the new party, he replied, "We need to gather together now," and said, "One’s political position is not something others can casually decide, so we have to wait."
Lee also expressed strong ambitions for the general election after forming the new party. He said, "If it were up to my ambition, we should become the first party," and added, "The biggest variable in the election outlook is how much the third new party will advance." When asked about alliances with Representative Yang Hyang-ja, who formed a 'third zone' new party, and former Representative Geum Tae-seop, who is about to establish a party, he responded, "It would be desirable to go that way," leaving open the possibility of an alliance. However, regarding an alliance with former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, he said, "I am not thinking that far yet."
He also drew a line regarding the so-called 'Myeong-Nak meeting' mentioned by some. Lee said about a meeting with Representative Lee Jae-myung, "If there is a confirmed will to make a revolutionary change and thereby regain the trust of the people, I will meet anytime," adding, "If it is just to take pictures and appear united, then it does not hold much meaning."
Regarding Lee Jae-myung’s comment that "We must win through unity and innovation in next year’s general election," Lee Nak-yeon criticized, "If unity means just following without any words, then that unity is a dead unity."
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