Lee Nak-yeon Weighs Presidential Run... Minor Parties Also Active

Saemirae Democratic Party to Hold Presidential Election Press Conference on the 10th
Aiming for a Grand Coalition Transitional Government... People Power Party Also Considered
Prospects of a Unified Progressive Party Candidate

Minor parties and extraparliamentary parties are also focusing their efforts on preparing for the early presidential election on June 3. Amid deliberations between independent candidacy and electoral alliances, the choice of former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon, affiliated with the Saemirae Democratic Party, is drawing attention.

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon is speaking about the current and future political situation during an interview at the Asia Economy headquarters. Photo by Heo Young-han

On the 10th, Jeon Byung-heon, leader of the Saemirae Democratic Party, will hold a special press conference regarding the June 3 presidential election to announce the party's response plan. Former Prime Minister Lee is leaning toward running for president, and it is analyzed that he will express his views on the presidential candidacy after observing the primary processes of the Democratic Party and the People Power Party candidates.

Lee’s camp is known to aim for a transitional government of grand coalition. In particular, it is reported that the People Power Party is not excluded as a potential partner for cooperation. When asked in a phone interview with Asia Economy whether they are communicating with the People Power Party regarding the presidential election, Leader Jeon said, "I cannot say," but added, "We must fully activate bipartisan channels." Another Saemirae Democratic Party official stated, "There are no fixed principles or details regarding the candidate, but we are looking at it broadly."

The moves of progressive parties are also a point of interest. While there is a widespread view that an electoral alliance is necessary to end the so-called internal conflict, the political burden of joining hands with the Democratic Party remains a variable. On the 10th, Yoon Jong-oh, floor leader of the Progressive Party, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "This election requires the parties that participated in the roundtable to end the internal conflict to unite their strength."

Currently, within the Progressive Party, Standing Representative Kim Jae-yeon and former National Assembly member Kang Sung-hee have declared their presidential bids. Representative Kim said, "To move toward a stronger democracy and a new Republic of Korea, the alliance and coalition of democratic constitutional protection forces must continue."

In the extraparliamentary Justice Party, Representative Kwon Young-guk is preparing to run. The Justice Party, Labor Party, Green Party, and labor organizations will launch a joint response organization on the 11th and plan to begin internal primary registration from the 12th. The Social Democratic Party and Basic Income Party are deliberating whether to field solo or alliance candidates.