Concerns from Non-Myeong and Pro-Mun Factions over Lee Nak-yeon's New Party Aiming for 'Main Ruling Party' Status

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, who had been critical of the 'Lee Jae-myung leadership' system for consecutive days, officially announced the founding of a new party early next year and is embarking on full-scale activities. Although he set a major goal of aiming to become the first party in next year's general election, even the anti-Lee (非明) faction and pro-Moon (親文) faction have expressed concerns, saying, "Why is he rushing like that?"

On the 14th, Lee stated his intention to establish a new party on KBS's 'Special 1 Radio Today,' saying, "We will create responsible politics that can give hope to the people and a competent nation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He appeared on SBS the previous day and clearly expressed his intention to found a new party by answering "Yes" to the question, "Are you really going to establish a new party?" The timing is early next month. In response to the host's question, "Has the practical preparation progressed a lot?" he said, "Not to that extent, and the process is very complicated," adding, "The early January timing will be about reporting to the people that this is what we intend to do."

Lee explained that his decision to establish a new party was because, despite the government's failures, the Democratic Party has not become a viable alternative. When asked by the host whether the Democratic Party is an alternative to the current administration, he said, "I feel that many people cannot answer 'yes' to that," and "The Democratic Party is not gaining sufficient public trust due to internal problems and various other issues."

However, even pro-Lee Nak-yeon figures opposed his move and expressed their intention not to participate. Lee Byung-hoon, chairman of the Democratic Party's Gwangju City Committee, held a press conference the day before and said, "(The rumor of a new party formation) is likely to cause a split in the Democratic Party, the main opposition party," and "I have no intention to participate in the new party and oppose it."

Pro-Moon faction member and Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Gun-young also expressed concerns on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' saying, "It is a path that should not be taken," and "I think it is not helpful at all for the Republic of Korea, for the Democratic Party, or for himself. I feel like I want to carry a lunchbox and stop him."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Cho Eung-cheon, a member of the Democratic Party's 'Principles and Common Sense' reform faction, also expressed concern on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' saying, "Considering his usual way of speaking, he has already crossed the river," and "Why is he rushing like that?" Regarding Lee's statement that his goal is to become the first party in the National Assembly, Cho said, "I was surprised, but I wonder if it will be that easy to get candidate number 3," adding, "In the end, it is impossible to become the first party with just the anti-Lee Jae-myung banner."

Likewise, Lee Won-wook, also a member of 'Principles and Common Sense,' said on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "(The new party announcement) is very surprising," and "I think Lee Nak-yeon needs to catch his breath, but without catching his breath, he suddenly jumped into the ring and is sprinting 100 meters." Lee added, "Although the leader may think that what he has shown in the past 2-3 weeks is 'I have already caught my breath,' from our perspective, there was no catching of breath," and "It is somewhat regrettable to see him sprinting like this, perhaps because he is anxious alone."