Democratic Party Relieved by Lee Nak-yeon's Negative COVID Test... Party Convention to Be Held Online

Lee Nak-yeon "Apologies to the Public for Causing Concern"
Democratic Party Preparatory Committee "The Party Convention on the 29th Will Be Held at Yeouido Headquarters with Minimal Attendance and Live Online Broadcast"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Wondara and Jeon Jinyoung] Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon tested negative for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing relief to the political circles that were on high alert. The Democratic Party decided to hold the party leader and Supreme Council member elections as an online party convention in accordance with 'Social Distancing Level 2'.

At around 10:20 a.m. on the 19th, Lee posted on his Facebook, "I received the COVID-19 test result from the National Medical Center just before 10:10 a.m. today. It came out negative," adding, "This is a relief for everyone." He continued, "I thank many people who were worried about my condition. I apologize for causing concern to the public," and added, "From now on, I will respect the recommendations of the National Medical Center and decide on external activities in consultation with the National Assembly and the party." Earlier, on the morning of the 17th, Lee appeared in an interview on a broadcasting station where he used a chair and microphone previously used by a confirmed patient. After realizing this on the 18th, he took a test that night and entered self-quarantine.

With Lee’s negative test result, political figures breathed a sigh of relief. This was because Lee had attended several political events with large gatherings during the two days before his self-quarantine. Notably, about 300 political figures attended the 11th anniversary memorial service for former President Kim Dae-jung held the previous day, including Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug, Minister of the Interior and Safety Jin Young, Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan, Future United Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in, Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-sung, and Presidential Chief of Staff Noh Young-min.

In the National Assembly, various standing committee schedules were disrupted. The Intelligence Committee meeting, originally scheduled for 10 a.m., was postponed to 2 p.m. because some members’ paths overlapped with Lee’s.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party decided to hold the party convention online on the 29th. Instead of the originally announced Olympic Gymnastics Arena, the event will be held at the Yeouido party headquarters with only the minimum number of candidates and party officials participating. The convention will be broadcast live online, and party members will participate through online voting.

Jang Cheol-min, spokesperson for the Democratic Party’s National Delegate Convention Preparation Committee, held a briefing at the National Assembly communication office on the morning of the 19th, stating, "Due to the implementation of Social Distancing Level 2, the party convention on the 29th will be held at the party headquarters with the minimum number of people instead of the Gymnastics Arena." Regarding the number of people attending at the party headquarters on the day of the convention, he said, "Except for the candidates, only essential staff will be present. This will include the chair and vice-chair of the delegate meeting, a very small number of party officials, and a few pool reporters. Central committee members will not attend at all." He added, "Originally, the chair of the delegate meeting should be elected on the day, but the central committee will hold a meeting a day earlier (on the 28th) to elect the chair, amend party policies, and on the day of the convention, only matters related to leadership election and special presidential election party rules amendments will be promptly conducted."

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