[Column] The Path of Lee Nak-yeon Backed by Pro-Moon Faction and Others

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] '60.77%.' This is the vote percentage recorded by Lee Nak-yeon, the newly elected leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, in the recent party representative election. Considering that the dominant faction within the party is pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in), it can also be interpreted that the majority of pro-Moon votes leaned toward Lee.

Among the five elected Supreme Council members, three are regarded as pro-Moon figures, demonstrating that the pro-Moon faction within the party exerted significant influence in this party convention as well. In this regard, Lee confirmed the possibility of pro-Moon support among the various paths toward the presidency through this convention. It has also become a point of interest whether he can secure a favorable position in the presidential race against Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, who has surged to first place in the next presidential preference poll, by gaining pro-Moon support.

Lee is expected to continue efforts to maintain a friendly relationship with the pro-Moon faction in the future. As seen in the convention results, it is virtually impossible to become a presidential candidate without the help of the pro-Moon faction.

In fact, Lee showed signs of favoring pro-Moon figures from his first appointments. Choi In-ho, appointed as the party's chief spokesperson, is considered an 'original pro-Roh' figure, having served as deputy spokesperson and media secretary in the Roh Moo-hyun administration’s Blue House. He is regarded as a key pro-Moon figure in the Busan region. Kim Young-bae, appointed as the political affairs chief, is also evaluated as a pro-Moon figure, having served as policy coordination secretary and civil affairs secretary in the Moon Jae-in administration’s Blue House.

However, there are also criticisms that Lee should avoid appearing to be swayed by the pro-Moon faction. Public sentiment comes from vision and achievements, not factionalism. The challenges ahead of him are daunting. Currently, the country is facing the crisis of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Amid this, the medical community has even warned of an indefinite collective strike, while the government maintains a hardline stance. As the head of the ruling party, this is a time when Lee’s political skills are needed.

The launch of the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Unit (Gongsa-cheo) is an urgent task that can no longer be postponed. There are reports that the United Future Party has already nominated members for the candidate recommendation committee for the Gongsa-cheo chief. Now is the time for negotiation, and a new leader must break through. For Lee, party leadership is both a new beginning and a testing ground. It will be a period to confirm his competitiveness as a presidential candidate, whether he focuses on securing pro-Moon support or forges his own path to the presidency.

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