Lee Nak-yeon, one of the most prominent opposition political leaders in Korea
Former Chairman Lee Nak-yon of the main opposition Democratic Party, announced today (January 11) his departure from the party saying that the DP has turned into a shield for its Chairman Lee Jae-myung.
Lee made the remarks in a press conference at the National Assembly, as he delivered his plans to join forces with three other non-mainstream lawmakers who quit the party a day earlier to launch a new party ahead of April's parliamentary elections.
"The DP has lost the proud spirit, value and decency of (late former Presidents) Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, and turned into a 'one-person party' and a 'bulletproof party' rampant with violent and vulgar behavior and remarks," Lee said.
"After leaving the Democratic Party that I have been with for the past 24 years, I will take a new path of serving the Republic of Korea in a new way from a new position," he said. "It is truly painful to leave the Democratic Party that was the home of my heart."
Lee, who served as prime minister during the previous Moon Jae-in administration, has made his departure all but official in recent weeks since DP leader Lee Jae-myung rejected his reform demands, including the leader's resignation.
The two Lees were presidential primary rivals, and their relations have been sour.
At the press conference, Lee also said he will unite with the three lawmakers who left the DP a day earlier, saying that South Korea should break away from its deeply rooted two-party system and pursue a multiparty system.
"We need to put an end to the two-party system of hatred and start a multiparty system where compromises and adjustments are present. I ask for the people's support so that the April general elections could become the start" of the initiative, he said.
Reps. Cho Eung-cheon, Kim Jong-min and Lee Won-wook left the DP on Wednesday after their reform demands were rejected and amid prospects that they are unlikely to win party nominations in the April 10 parliamentary elections.
Political watchers are keeping an eye on whether Lee Nak-yon will merge with other minor parties, such as the one led by Lee Jun-seok, a former leader of the ruling People Power Party, ahead of the parliamentary elections.
