'Opposition to Lee Nak-yeon's New Party' Over 100 Democratic Party Members Sign Petition
"Petition? Persuading Lee Nak-yeon Comes First"
Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon has officially announced the formation of a new party, amid growing voices urging him to reconsider. Currently, within the party, opposition is spreading as first-term Democratic Party lawmakers are leading a joint signature campaign against the new party formation.
The joint signature campaign began on the 14th, led by first-term Democratic Party lawmakers Kang Deuk-gu, Kang Jun-hyun, and Lee So-young. It is reported that around 100 lawmakers, regardless of faction or seniority, have participated so far. Based on the results of the signature campaign, the Democratic Party plans to hold a press conference this week to deliver a message opposing Lee’s new party formation.
Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon is giving a special lecture on the theme of "Youth, Political Leaders, and the Future of Modern Society" on the afternoon of the 6th at Samyook University in Nowon-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
The largest lawmaker group within the party, "The Better Future (Deo Mirae)," also requested Lee to withdraw his declaration of forming a new party. On the 15th, Deo Mirae held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "The Democratic Party has the responsibility to unite in next year’s general election and judge the Yoon Seok-yeol administration," and raised their voices saying, "If the party splits due to Lee’s new party formation, it will lead to failure in judging the administration."
There are also criticisms that Lee is rushing to form a new party without consensus within the party, causing backlash. On the 18th, Lee Kwang-jae, Secretary-General of the National Assembly, said on SBS Radio’s "Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show," "I think the talk about the new party came too early," adding, "We need to unite our strength and fight together to win in this general election, but suddenly talking about a new party makes the party members feel very bewildered."
He continued, "With only a few days left until the election, instead of openly criticizing, shouldn’t there be enough internal discussion? But suddenly bringing up the new party talk seems to have caused a loss of internal momentum," he pointed out.
Members of the Deobureo Minjoo Party's Better Future caucus are holding a press conference at the National Assembly on the 15th, urging former leader Lee Nak-yeon to withdraw his declaration of founding a new party. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
However, former Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-sung expressed concern that pressure on Lee could provoke him to leave the party. On the same day, on KBS 1 Radio’s special program "Today," Choi said, "If you think about whether the joint signature campaign can work as a method of persuasion, I don’t think so," adding, "It could have the effect of pushing former leader Lee Nak-yeon out of the party."
He emphasized, "Right now, it is important to actively persuade Lee behind the scenes, and if persuasion fails, to consider what to do with the active behind-the-scenes efforts."
Meanwhile, in an interview with Channel A the previous day, Lee reiterated his intention to form a new party, saying, "If the Democratic Party does not show a willingness for groundbreaking change, I will not stop what I am doing." Regarding the timing of the new party formation, Lee said, "I said I would report to the people early next year," explaining, "That means giving the Democratic Party time until the end of the year."
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