"Presidential Candidates' Bids for Party Leadership Are Inappropriate"… Ruling Party's Growing Atmosphere of Discouragement

Lee Nak-yeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending a party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd and talking with floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The Democratic Party's leadership race is overheating as a 'preliminary battle for the presidential election,' spreading a 'veto' sentiment against presidential candidates running for party leadership.

According to Democratic Party officials on the 5th, 'The Better Future (Deo Mirae),' an intra-party group mainly composed of reform-minded lawmakers, reportedly agreed at their regular meeting on the 3rd that it is inappropriate for presidential candidates to run for party leadership. Deo Mirae is expected to convey the opinion to Chairman Lee Nak-yeon of the COVID-19 National Crisis Management Committee to reconsider running in the party convention after further discussions.

This atmosphere is analyzed to stem from concerns about the burden the party would have to bear if a presidential candidate takes the party leadership. According to the Democratic Party's rule separating party leadership and presidential candidacy, even if a presidential candidate becomes party leader at the party convention in August, they must step down from the leadership position in March next year. In that case, another party convention must be held, which is a considerable burden for the party. Additionally, if the preliminary presidential competition ignites early, there are concerns it could accelerate the lame-duck period of President Moon Jae-in's term, which seems to have strengthened the reluctance.

In fact, Assemblyman Shin Dong-geun, active in Deo Mirae, recently pointed out in a lawmakers' Telegram chat room, "It is necessary to consider whether it is desirable for presidential candidates to run for a seven-month term as party leader for overcoming the COVID-19 crisis, party unity, the success of the Moon Jae-in administration, and re-election."

For now, Chairman Lee's side is reportedly not changing its stance on running for party leadership. He plans to officially declare his challenge for party leadership after completing the regional tour meetings of the COVID-19 National Crisis Management Committee. However, former Assemblyman Kim Boo-kyum is reportedly considering running for party leader on the premise of not running for president.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and former Assemblyman Kim have actively denied the 'party leadership alliance theory.' Earlier, there was speculation in political circles that Prime Minister Chung, a potential presidential candidate, would assist Chairman Lee to check his solo run. Prime Minister Chung posted on Facebook the day before, "I have no relation or time to care about the presidency or party leadership. I am fully focused on COVID-19 prevention," adding, "It is entirely a groundless rumor and misunderstanding." Former Assemblyman Kim also denied reports that he discussed running for party leadership with Prime Minister Chung over a meal, saying, "That is not true," and "It was not a place to bring up my personal future."

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