Main opposition party taking route to division
Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung, front row center, pays a silent tribute during his visit to the grave of former President Roh Moo-hyun at Bongha Village in South Gyeongsang Province, Monday. Yonhap
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is now on the verge of splitting in two ahead of the general elections slated for April, as its current and former leaders headed in their own separate directions from the first day of the New Year after failing to solve an internal feud during their surprise meeting two days ago.
On Monday, DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung visited the grave of late former President Kim Dae-jung at the Seoul National Cemetery and then the grave of former President Roh Moo-hyun at Bongha Village in South Gyeongsang Province.
The visit to the graves of the two liberal presidents was seen as Lee’s apparent attempt to strengthen unity within the party.
“We will win general elections for sure for this country and the people,” Lee said in his New Year message. “The DPK will become one that is larger than anything.”
Former DPK chief Lee Nak-yon, for his part, held a gathering with about 500 people — mostly his supporters — at Haengju Fortress, a centuries-old fort located in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
During the gathering, Lee, who served as the prime minister during the Moon Jae-in administration, reaffirmed his will to leave the DPK and launch a new political party.
Lee Nak-yon, center, former chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, attends a gathering with his supporters at Haengju Fortress, a centuries-old fort located in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. Yonhap
“I should give a new option to the people other than the existing two-party system,” he said. “I will change incompetent politics to competent politics, and corrupt politics to clean politics.”
Conflicts between Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yon became irreparable after the former rejected the latter’s ultimatum to step down as party chairman and agree to establish a joint interim leadership committee by the end of 2023, during their meeting on Dec. 30.
Lee Nak-yon suggested such an ultimatum amid a deepening feud within the main opposition party between a mainstream faction, which supports Lee Jae-myung, and fringe groups.
After failing to resolve the feud during the meeting, Lee Nak-yon told reporters, “Let me go on my own way then,” signaling his intention to leave the party.
Lee Nak-yon, according to political watchers, is expected to hold a press conference to declare the establishment of a new party by Thursday at the earliest. His departure is likely to make some DPK members follow suit and join his new party — the question is how many.
Four incumbent lawmakers who have opposed Lee Jae-myung’s leadership, including Rep. Yoon Young-chan, are expected to be among the first to abandon the party.
These four, however, are not expected to immediately join Lee Nak-yon’s new party right after their defection from the DPK.
Regarding this, Lee Nak-yon said, “Those who are in the same boat should work together, but I know that incumbent lawmakers have a lot to consider before making a decision. It is appropriate to wait for them and support what they want.”