3 ex-DP lawmakers launch new party ahead of April elections

▲ Reps. Lee Won-wook (L), Kim Jong-min (C) and Cho Eung-cheon (R), as well as former lawmakers Jeong Tae-keun (2nd from L) and Park Won-suk, hold a press conference to announce the launch of a new party, at the National Assembly in Seoul, on Jan. 12, 2023. (Yonhap)

ex-DP lawmakers-new party

3 ex-DP lawmakers launch new party ahead of April elections

SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- Three lawmakers who left the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) earlier this week announced Friday they plan to launch a new party ahead of April's general elections.

Reps. Cho Eung-cheon, Kim Jong-min and Lee Won-wook left the DP on Wednesday after their demands for party reforms, including the resignation of party leader Lee Jae-myung, were rejected. Their departures also came amid speculation they are unlikely to win party nominations in the upcoming elections.

A day later, former DP leader Lee Nak-yon also quit the DP.

"We cannot change people's lives unless we destroy the bulletproof and hegemonic politics, the winner-takes-all politics of hatred and confrontation, and the politics for selective people of incompetence and irresponsibility," Cho said in a press conference.

Along with the three lawmakers that left the DP, two former lawmakers, Park Won-suk and Jeong Tae-keun, were present at the conference. Park and Jeong each left their respective parties -- the minor opposition Justice Party and the ruling People Power Party -- on Thursday.

"Let's move from a country of the conservatives and the liberals to a country for everyone," Park said.

The new party is expected to begin talks to unite with Lee Nak-yon, a former DP leader, and other prominent political figures who have signaled plans to form new parties ahead of the elections.

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