"Shooting Sideways, the Party Cannot Embrace Him"
"Integration Is Good, but Restructuring Is Also Necessary"
Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon recently claimed that "the joint liquidation of Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung's politics is the spirit of the times," while Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, targeted Lee, stating that "restructuring is necessary." This has led some to interpret that Lee may not be included in the recent Democratic Party's 'pan-opposition and pan-Democratic forces integration' efforts.
Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon recently claimed that "the joint abolition of Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung's politics is the spirit of the times," while Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, targeted Lee by stating that "restructuring is necessary." Consequently, some interpret that Lee may not be included in the recent Democratic Party's efforts for 'unification of the pan-opposition and pan-Democratic forces.' Photo by Kim Hyun-min
On the 21st, in an interview with Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS) radio, Park was asked whether there is division within the Democratic Party over whether to embrace former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon. Park responded, "The situation has changed now," and drew a clear line by saying, "I think the Democratic Party cannot embrace him and must restructure." He added, "If he keeps firing sideways instead of forward and continues such words and actions, how can we go together?" and evaluated, "Seeing that he still says crazy things, we cannot embrace him." This was a public statement indicating that Lee is not a target of the party's sought 'pan-opposition and pan-Democratic forces integration.'
Also hinting at his own and former National Assembly Secretary-General Lee Kwang-jae's presidential bids, Park said, "Everyone, regardless of party lines, should come out and compete fiercely to receive the choice of the people and party members," adding, "Competing fiercely with Representative Lee Jae-myung is necessary for intra-party democracy and the Democratic Party's vitality."
On the 19th, appearing on KBC's 'Yeouido Invitation,' he repeatedly emphasized, "The spirit of the next presidential election is unity and stability," and stated, "Political settlement between Yoon Seok-yeol (President) and Lee Jae-myung (Leader of the Democratic Party)." Photo by Kim Hyun-min
Earlier, on the 10th, Lee delivered a keynote speech at the '7th Republic National Forum' held in Gwangju, stating, "If the People Power Party declares martial law and the Democratic Party does not resolve judicial risks before the presidential election, the current chaos will continue even after the election or the chaos will persist with only a change of camps," and asserted, "The joint liquidation of Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung's politics is becoming the spirit of the times." On the 19th, he appeared on KBC's 'Yeouido Invitation' and reiterated, "The spirit of the next presidential election is integration and stability," emphasizing again, "The liquidation of Yoon Seok-yeol (President) and Lee Jae-myung (Democratic Party leader) politics." Meanwhile, with the final hearing date for the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol set for the 25th, the possibility of an early presidential election is increasing, and the competition among opposition presidential candidates is expected to intensify.
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