Emerging parties embrace 'big tent' strategy to bridge political divides

Former Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Nak-yon, left, announces his departure from the party during a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

The idea of new political parties forming a so-called “big tent” is gaining traction, as heavyweights who broke away from the ruling conservative People Power Party (PPP) or the liberal main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) are joining hands to create a coalition to challenge the prevailing dominance of rival parties, signifying a pivotal shift in the political landscape.

The moves are seen as a strategy to bring a reformative shift in Korean politics and exploit the low public approval ratings of both the PPP and the DPK before the general elections in April. However, questions remain on the viability of their coalition after the elections, given the stark difference between conservatives and liberals on various social agendas.

Lee Nak-yon, the former chairman of the DPK, announced on Thursday that he will leave the main opposition party, which he said has lost its spirit and dignity.

“For me and other long-time members of the DPK, the party has already become a strangers’ home,” Lee said during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul. “The spirit and dignity of former presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun are gone, and the DPK is now a one-man party where violence and vulgar rhetoric are rampant.”

The former chairman was referring to the party’s current chairman Lee Jae-myung and his loyalists who are accused of humiliating and attacking critics aiming to purge them.

He added that the PPP and the DPK are jeopardizing the country with what he described as a “hostile symbiosis” and their political dominance based on hate toward each other, sending the country into a crisis.

“Without breaking the current bipartisan political structure, Korea cannot sustain itself,” Lee said. He cited Confucius, who said, “Rotten wood cannot be carved.”

Former Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Nak-yon sits in a car after announcing his departure from the party during a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

The former DPK chairman said he will create new political group, and everyone who shares the same values should stand together. He pledged to join forces with former DPK lawmakers who broke away a day earlier to create their own party.

A day earlier, Reps. Cho Eung-cheon, Lee Won-wook and Kim Jong-min announced their departures from the party to create their own political group, tentatively named Principle and Common Sense, saying it is difficult to “judge the Yoon Suk Yeol administration under the DPK’s current leadership.”

During a radio interview with broadcaster SBS, Thursday, Rep. Lee Won-wook spoke about the three lawmakers leaving the party.

We have emptied our minds” so that everyone making their own party can “come under the big tent and engage in debates,” he said.

Rep. Lee was referring to new parties established or being formed by former ruling PPP Chairman Lee Jun-suk and former DPK Reps. Keum Tae-seop and Yang Hyang-ja.

Gaining political attention is a coalition between a party to be established by the former PPP chairman, tentatively called the Reformist New Party, and Principle and Common Sense.

Cheon Ha-ram, the organizing committee head of the Reformist New Party, told reporters on Wednesday, “We are open to discussions on all possibilities such as the level of the coalition or a merger,” referring to Principle and Common Sense.

Former Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Nak-yon, center, holds a banner to celebrate the publication of a book by Hope of Korea Chairperson Yang Hyang-ja, second from right, along with politicians seeking to create their own party at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. From left are Justice Party Rep. Ryu Ho-jeong, New Choice co-Chair Keum Tae-seop, Lee, Yang and former People Power Party Chairman Lee Jun-seok. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

The coalition will likely be one of the biggest variables in the race to April’s general elections, as multiple surveys show that nearly 30 percent of the public does not support the PPP or the DPK, while the support rates of the two rival parties remain below 40 percent.

“Chances are very high that the big tent move will likely end up creating a very loose coalition between respective parties and not a physical merger between them,” Shin Yul, a professor of political science at Myongji University, said.

“Under the big tent, parties will likely discuss which camp is covering which constituency. For example, the former PPP chairman’s new party may cover conservative strongholds such as Daegu. In this scenario, the coalition’s role is to create a sensation for the elections. After that, each party will pursue their own political goals.”

Although the new parties are now speaking about a coalition, Shin noted that each one has its own interests that can make it almost impossible for them to become a single political party.

“For example, Principle and Common Sense has three serving lawmakers right now, higher than any other. Given that, the party will not agree to be absorbed by others,” Shin said.

During a radio show that Shin hosts at broadcaster YTN, Wednesday, Cheon said that the Reformist New Party may consider speaking with the former DPK chairman about a coalition, if he admits his political failure when he served as prime minister during the previous Moon Jae-in administration.

“That is just impossible, given Lee’s political career and his own identity as the legitimate successor of the DPK,” Shin said. “So chances are very high that the parties will form a loose coalition first and begin discussions on whether they should merge or not at the end of next month because there are other lawmakers contemplating departures from their own parties.”

Members of Principle and Common Sense, a fringe group of the Democratic Party of Korea, prepare a press conference on their departure from the party at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. From left are Reps. Lee Won-wook, Cho Eung-cheon and Kim Jong-min. Yonhap

On the other hand, political commentator Rhee Jong-hoon said it will be more advantageous for the parties to merge and create a single entity.

“The first goal of the new parties is securing seats at the National Assembly,” Rhee said. “For this, scaling up their presence as a single party is more advantageous. By securing more serving lawmakers, the united group may be able to secure a higher position in the order of parties listed on the ballot paper, perhaps higher than the current No. 3 minor opposition, Justice Party. It is a huge advantage.”

Korea sets the order on the ballot for parties based on their seats at the Assembly. The main opposition DPK is No. 1, followed by the PPP and the Justice Party. The Justice Party now has six serving lawmakers.

“In the process of a merger, parties with more serving lawmakers will have the lead, and others will be merged into them. After the elections, however, there are chances of those parties being split off,” Rhee said.

Rep. Cho of Principle and Common Sense said in an interview with broadcaster CBS, Thursday, that “to make sure that voters' ballots won’t be useless, we have to unite to secure the No. 3 position.”