Lee Nak-yeon “Democratic Party is dying…because of leadership and rigid supporters”.

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon criticized the Democratic Party under the leadership of Lee Jae-myung. He stated that “internal democracy within the party is almost suffocating” and attributed it to the influence of leadership and strong supporters. He positively evaluated the movement of the third zone inside and outside the party as an attempt to overcome a desperate situation. On the 28th, at the “Solidarity and Coexistence” forum organized by the Lee Nak-yeon Think Tank, held at the Baekbeom Kim Gu Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, he stated, “The Democratic Party has shown its own resilience and recovery ability over the years, but it is not the case now.” He added, “The Democratic Party has lost its values and dignity that it has long maintained, and violent movements of hostility and hatred towards the inside and outside are rampant.” He also pointed out that “the Democratic Party in the past had a diverse internal system and democratic immunity that filtered out various problems and recovered its health, but now that immune system has collapsed due to the influence of leadership and strong supporters.” He further stated, “As a result, the Democratic Party has lost its moral sensitivity and has become indifferent to the hearts of the people. It is pathetic.” He also criticized the government’s ruling party, stating that the People Power Party “continues to exhibit similar behavior, perhaps because it has been a subordinate institution of power for a long time.” He also commented on the Yun Seok-yeol government, saying, “It will be recorded as the worst government since the democratization in 1987,” and advised, “President Yun needs to change. I recommend that he speak less and listen more.” When asked by reporters whether he sees Lee Jae-myung’s Democratic Party as a “sacred place,” he replied, “Yes,” and said, “I feel very sorry and frustrated.” He expressed concerns about the possibility of a “slaughter of nominations” in the non-party sphere, stating, “If the system nomination is damaged, it will have many side effects. I hope that such a thing does not happen.” Regarding the “third zone theory” of creating new political forces through defection and new parties, he said, “I empathize with the sense of problem and urgency.” However, he did not positively or negatively respond to the possibility of joining.