'Democratic Party Resignation' Lee Nak-yeon "Breaking the Two-Party Monopoly Political Structure" (Summary)

Leaving the Democratic Party After 24 Years in Politics
'Principle and Common Sense' Cooperation... Accelerating the Third-Party Big Tent
"We Will Take a New Path in a New Way"

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon has announced his departure from the Democratic Party. This comes 24 years after he entered politics through the selection by former President Kim Dae-jung (DJ). His goal in moving to the third political camp is to "break the political monopoly of the two major parties."

On the afternoon of the 11th, Lee held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and declared, "I have decided to leave the Democratic Party, where I have been for 24 years, and embark on a new path to serve the Republic of Korea in a new position and in a new way." Standing beside him were former Gyeonggi Province Assembly member Shin Jeong-hyun, Busan Dongnae District Assembly member Cheon Byeong-jun, social worker Lee Jong-ho, and Park Jeong-jun from the Democratic Party's Multi-Youth Committee.

Former leader of the Democratic Party, Lee Nak-yeon, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 11th, declaring his resignation from the party and the establishment of a new party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He directly criticized the "Lee Jae-myung leadership." Lee said, "The spirit, values, and dignity of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, which the Democratic Party once proudly upheld, have disappeared, replaced by a 'one-man party' and 'bulletproof party' characterized by violent and low-level behavior." He pointed out that "young lawmakers capable of upholding and realizing the spirit and values of the Democratic Party have been repeatedly giving up on running for office."

Lee plans to move to the third political camp and continue working on forming a new party, while first cooperating with reformist 'principle and common sense' lawmakers who have already left the Democratic Party. When asked by reporters immediately after his resignation about whether he would join with 'principle and common sense,' he replied, "Discussions are ongoing about when and at what point we will join together."

'Common Values of the Third Camp Big Tent... Breaking the Two-Party Monopoly'

Former leader of the Democratic Party, Lee Nak-yeon, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 11th, announcing his resignation from the party and the formation of a new party, and is answering questions from the press. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Lee recalled former President Kim Dae-jung, who led him into politics, while presenting the goals his new party will pursue. He emphasized, "President Kim Dae-jung advocated for being just half a step ahead of the people and pursued moderate reform. In this situation where the two major parties continue extreme confrontations, we aim to change politics into one that reaches agreements and produces results for the people."

He left open the possibility of alliances not only with the 'principle and common sense' faction from the Democratic Party but also with conservative reformist figures such as Lee Jun-seok, chairman of the policy committee of the Reform New Party. When asked if ideological differences might cause divisions again after the election, he dismissed the concern, saying, "Mass parties naturally have a certain spectrum, and rather than exaggerating that, it would be more productive to find common ground."

Regarding questions about differing stances between conservative and progressive camps on issues such as North Korea policy, he said, "That is precisely where wisdom is needed," adding, "President Kim Dae-jung formed a coalition government with a conservative leader who held completely opposite views." In the same context, when asked what values could unite the diverse political backgrounds gathering under the 'third camp big tent,' he reiterated, "We must change the fortress-like two-party monopoly politics," and emphasized, "(The third camp new parties) are people much closer to each other than the DJP coalition."

Additionally, Lee pledged to field candidates in "as many constituencies as possible" in the upcoming general election to break the two-party system. He said, "I hope to win a meaningful number of seats, as many as possible, to break the fortress-like structure of the two major parties."