Ha Seung-soo "Minority's Secret Planning... Yang Jeong-cheol's Unofficial Influence Shakes Entire Democratic Party"

Yang Jeong-cheol, head of the Democratic Research Institute, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Ha Seung-soo, executive committee member of the Political Reform Alliance who has been pushing for a progressive proportional representation election coalition, strongly criticized Yang Jeong-cheol, head of the Democratic Research Institute, saying, "Some unofficial insiders are shaking the entire Democratic Party of Korea." The Democratic Party of Korea has instead allied with the 'For the Citizens' platform party, which has a strong pro-Moon Jae-in faction, rather than the Political Reform Alliance, which included many civil society figures. Ha claims to have heard from key Democratic Party officials that the party was involved in the founding process of 'For the Citizens.'

On the 20th, in a phone interview with Asia Economy, Ha said, "When the Democratic Party was discussing with the Political Reform Alliance, I heard that some within the party planned 'For the Citizens,' and naturally, it was Director Yang Jeong-cheol," adding, "They said it was unavoidable because the Future Korea Party was formed. A small group secretly planned this, which is a serious problem for party democracy, so both Democratic Party members and the public need to know."

The Political Reform Alliance had been communicating with the official line of the Democratic Party, but things are proceeding as prepared by the so-called 'unofficial insiders.' Ha said, "Two university professors cannot found a party on their own. It is well known that the Open Country Movement (Gaegukbon) organized the groundwork," adding, "The founding was possible because some within the Democratic Party guaranteed it. Unlike other similar parties, it holds a monopolistic position."

He continued, "We need to distinguish between some within the Democratic Party and the whole party, but that shows how powerful Director Yang is," criticizing, "It also reveals the fragility of intra-party democracy within the Democratic Party."

Ha also stated on Facebook that "I have received many messages after mentioning the real name Yang Jeong-cheol," and said, "He is the worst of the deep-rooted evils. Having such a person as a power broker in the ruling party is a mess."

He added, "Even senior Democratic Party members seem to be wary of Yang Jeong-cheol. He is a political evil that must be eradicated. He ruined the important plan for a coalition party and spreads slander against veterans of the democratization movement. This fundamentally flawed person wields more power than the ruling party’s presidential candidate (Lee Nak-yeon)," claiming, "Does it make sense that Yang Jeong-cheol is stronger than Lee Nak-yeon?"

On the previous day’s CBS radio program 'Sisa Jaki with Jung Kwan-yong,' he said, "I heard this directly from some key figures in the Democratic Party," and added, "I believe Director Yang was naturally included, and 'For the Citizens' is a program planned by some within the Democratic Party, a founding plan."

He said this was information he heard from multiple Democratic Party officials. Ha said, "Since the party founding program was created with the Democratic Party’s involvement, the party could not withdraw. Especially those involved in the planning?I believe that person is Director Yang Jeong-cheol."

He continued, "Since he planned and created the party himself, he would want to make this party a platform at all costs. However, the Political Reform Alliance, a coalition party proposal involving formidable democratization activists and civil society figures, has emerged. Anyone can see that this group is more trustworthy and objective."

For this reason, Ha claims that slander (black propaganda) was spread against the Political Reform Alliance. He said, "Since last week, there have been concentrated rumors that the representatives of the Political Reform Alliance have problems or selfish motives, simply put. That the Political Reform Alliance is trying to go as an independent party, demanding nomination shares, and that members of the Minjung Party participated?such absurd slanders have been circulating intensively since last week."

He added, "I believe this was reported to Representative Lee Hae-chan, and based on that, the 'For the Citizens' platform was chosen," saying, "The decision-making structure of the official Democratic Party has been completely distorted by a group that can be called unofficial power brokers. That is how I see it."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.