"More Participation from Honam Than Expected"
Former leader Lee Nak-yeon, who left the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 15th that more than 20,000 founding members have gathered for the third-party new party he is promoting, tentatively named 'Saeroun Mirae' (New Future).
On the day before the founding members' meeting, Lee said in an interview with Jeonbuk CBS radio, "We are recruiting founding members until midnight today, and as of last night, the number has exceeded 20,000."
Lee added, "According to the Political Parties Act, more than 200 members are required, so this is more than 100 times that number," and "Participation from the Honam region is also higher than expected."
Lee also appeared on Jeonnam CBS radio to continue discussing the new party. When asked about the target number of seats in the upcoming general election, he predicted, "The more, the better, but at least 50 to 60 seats will be secured."
Regarding his role in the new party, he said, "I will probably only serve as the head of the talent recruitment committee," and "I understand I will participate as a member of the Vision Committee, which is the policy body of the new party."
On the prospect of current lawmakers joining the new party, he said, "There are reports that the nomination process in that party (Democratic Party) is being deliberately delayed," and "It is said that the delay is to prevent them from joining the new party, but gradually, they will come out according to that process."
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