Ex-DP leader to announce departure from party

Lee Nak-yon, a former leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), was set Thursday to announce his departure from the DP and plans to launch a new political party ahead of April's parliamentary elections. 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. Lee Nak-yon's departure comes a day after three other non-mainstream DP lawmakers quit the party 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 would unite with other minor parties ahead of the elections and create what some call a "big tent" with lawmakers non-affiliated with either of the major rival parties. Source: Yonhap News Agency