[Comprehensive] "Envy and Fear"... Rising Anxiety in the Ruling Party over the 'Lee Jun-seok Phenomenon' Leading the Preliminary Primary

"One Social Phenomenon," "Democratic Party Has No Will for Generational Change"
Lee Jun-seok Advances to Main Primary in First Place, Ruling Party Tense

Former Supreme Council Member Lee Jun-seok. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Ju-hee] As former Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok, a '30s first-time candidate,' advanced to the main race in the People Power Party's preliminary leadership election in first place, a sense of crisis appears to be intensifying within the ruling party. Some lawmakers have expressed envy toward the so-called 'Lee Jun-seok phenomenon,' emphasizing the need for innovation in the ruling party's image.

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the National Committee Chairpersons' meeting on the 28th, "Recently, the whirlwind caused by candidate Lee Jun-seok has brought youth issues to the forefront," adding, "We received harsh criticism from the 20s and 30s youth public sentiment in the by-elections. It is a time when our Youth Committee's activities are actively required."

Former leader Lee Nak-yeon also stated in an interview with KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' on the same day, "We need to recognize this as a clear phenomenon in our society and accept it as it is."

He continued, "Basically, when youth policies are proposed, non-youth people pretend to know and present them," emphasizing, "Instead, it is right to have young people take a leading role in establishing youth policies."

Kang Byung-won, Supreme Council member, described the 'Lee Jun-seok phenomenon' as "envied and frightening." In an interview with BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' on the same day, he said, "I am watching the Lee Jun-seok whirlwind with surprise," and evaluated, "The People Power Party was a symbol of oldness and conservatism, but new changes are being made."

He added, "One wonders what changes candidate Lee would bring to Korean politics if he becomes party leader," and said, "It is also surprising that first-term lawmakers are making progress."

There were also criticisms that the Democratic Party, which had been evaluated as more progressive and innovative compared to conservative parties, has recently fallen behind in reform. Kim Sung-hoe, spokesperson for the Open Democratic Party, appeared on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' and criticized, "The Democratic Party currently lacks the will, intention, and personnel for generational change."

He added, "The 586 generation still thinks they can continue to do well," and pointed out, "Their only option is to do well, but if they fail to show results in people's livelihoods, they will disappear together."

Meanwhile, according to the People Power Party's Election Management Committee, former Supreme Council member Lee advanced to the main race in first place in the party leadership preliminary election. Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, and lawmakers Joo Ho-young, Hong Moon-pyo, and Cho Kyung-tae followed in votes, with five candidates advancing to the main race.

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