SEOUL: Lee Jae-myung, the leader of South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party (DP), has firmly rejected a call for his resignation from former DP leader Lee Nak-yon. The standoff highlights ongoing divisions within the party ahead of important general elections.
According to Yonhap News Agency, The two party figures met in Seoul to discuss the former leader's demands, which included Lee Jae-myung stepping down and agreeing to form a joint interim leadership committee. These demands come as the party prepares for the general elections scheduled for next April. However, the current DP leader rejected these proposals, urging the former leader to remain part of the party, as conveyed by DP spokesperson Park Sung-joon in a briefing.
In response to Lee Jae-myung's refusal, the former leader has declared his intention to form a new party next year if his proposals are not accepted by the end of the year. "I earnestly told him that leaving the party is not the path to go," Lee Jae-myung stated to reporters following their meeting.
The former leader, indicating his likely departure from the DP, told reporters about his decision to pursue his own path, suggesting a significant rift within the Democratic Party.