Bimyeong-gye "To Block Shindang, Must Transition to Emergency Committee"
Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon is facing criticism within the Democratic Party over his plan to establish a new party, while non-Lee Jae-myung (Bi-Myung) faction lawmakers are united in saying that what is urgently needed is a transition to an Integrated Emergency Response Committee (Integrated Emergency Committee), rather than criticism or pressure.
Former leader of the Democratic Party Lee Nak-yeon is attending the preview screening of 'Kim Dae-jung on the Road' held at Yongsan CGV in Seoul on the 18th, responding to questions from the press. Photo by Yonhap News
The Bi-Myung faction lawmakers' group, Principle and Common Sense, issued a statement on the 18th, saying, "Former leaders Song Young-gil, Choo Mi-ae, and former Minister Cho Kuk have also talked about forming a new party, but no one within the party has criticized or signed petitions against them like they have against Lee Nak-yeon's new party rumor." They pointed out, "They claim to be the elders of the party in words, but in reality, they treat him differently." They added, "The surest way to stop Lee Nak-yeon's new party is not pressure through petition signing but a transition to an Integrated Emergency Committee," urging, "If you truly want to prevent party division and win the general election, please make a selfless decision without clinging to the party leader position."
In particular, they said that the 'Sakura' (traitor) criticism directed at former leader Lee is no different from the 'Subak' (watermelon: green on the outside, but blue inside) stigma aimed at the Bi-Myung faction. Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Won-wook wrote on his Facebook, "When harsh words are directed at leader Lee Jae-myung, his supporters, called 'Gaeddal,' lead the charge in labeling critics as 'Subak' and engage in violent behavior." He pointed out, "When former leader Lee Nak-yeon pushes for a new party, pro-Lee Jae-myung lawmakers brand him as 'Sakura' and even as a 'front for the Yoon Seok-youl administration,' demanding his retirement from politics."
Lawmaker Lee said, "Why are there only such people around leader Lee Jae-myung? Are they blocking his eyes and ears, or are they acting as his hands and feet?" He added, "What leader Lee Jae-myung needs now is a cold-headed analysis of the Democratic Party's crisis and a passionate love for the party. I miss the pro-Lee Jae-myung figures who can offer that."
Meanwhile, the 'Lee Nak-yeon new party' is under intense pressure within the party. Recently, over 100 current lawmakers, mainly first-term Democratic Party members, have signed a petition opposing former leader Lee's party formation. The party's largest lawmakers' group, The Better Future (Deo Mirae), and the pro-Lee Jae-myung outside organization, the Democratic Party National Innovation Council, have criticized former leader Lee and moved to block the establishment of the new party.
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