The Ruling Party Pulls the Trigger for Reform, Internal Divisions Also Deepen

12 Lawmakers Urged to Resign or Be Expelled
Only Half Willing to Accept
Representative Song Young-gil Says "No Intention to Rescue"

Even if 12 Clear Allegations and Return
Leadership and Faction Struggles
Could Pose Major Burden Ahead of Presidential Election

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon, Jeon Jin-young, Kim Dong-pyo] The Democratic Party of Korea has urged 12 members suspected of real estate speculation to leave the party, but only half have accepted the party's decision. The decision made by Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil for 'reform' has become a trigger for internal party conflict.

For now, Leader Song made it clear that he has no intention of 'rescuing' the members who refuse to leave the party. On the morning of the 9th at the Supreme Council meeting, Song said, "I hope you will remove the ruling party's badge, go to the investigative agencies on the same footing as the people, submit explanatory materials, clarify the suspicions, and return." Although there was no explicit warning about what measures would be taken if they refuse to leave, it was also clear that there was no intention to reverse the decision made the previous day. Floor leader Yoon Ho-jung also sent a similar message, saying, "The members concerned may suffer, but I hope they will sincerely cooperate with the investigation and clear all suspicions."

The day before, Leader Song took the measure of expelling two proportional representation members and urged ten constituency members to voluntarily leave the party. The two proportional representatives who were expelled are also opposing the party's action, but since it is the party's decision, the expulsion will proceed as planned. On the other hand, among the ten members urged to leave, Representatives Woo Sang-ho, Oh Young-hoon, Kim Han-jung, and Kim Hoe-jae are strongly opposing and are in conflict with the leadership. They argue that the disclosure of the list and the collective urging to leave without a process of explanation cannot be seen as a 'push-out' to politically resolve the real estate issue.

Representative Kim Han-jung, who is suspected of purchasing land using confidential information obtained through official duties, expressed opposition through Facebook and radio interviews, saying, "The party leadership made a big mistake this time," and "Is this a magistrate's trial?" Representative Yang Yi-won-young, who is suspected of name-trust issues, also said, "Is now the time to find a scapegoat?"

Going forward, this issue may become a significant burden for the Democratic Party as it combines with factors such as Leader Song's leadership and power struggles among factions ahead of the presidential election. Even if all 12 members safely return to the party, scars may remain. Not only are the members strongly opposing this expulsion measure, but views within the party are also divided. Some evaluations say that certain cases are "excessive." There is also backlash questioning whether the real estate public sentiment will change just by 'kicking out 12 members.'

Meanwhile, experts respond that the allegations against the 12 members are somewhat unlikely to become legal issues. In particular, the most common type of suspicion involves the Farmland Act (5 members), which, considering the current institutional environment, may only be subject to criticism. However, Professor Sa Dong-cheon of Hongik University Law School pointed out, "It is not desirable for those in positions to actively find legal blind spots and legally supplement them to simply cry foul."

Regarding the purchase of farmland without actual farming, punishment is also expected to be difficult. Professor Sa said, "If they say they acquired the land intending to farm but found it difficult in practice and changed their mind, it is practically impossible to prove a violation of the Farmland Act." Another real estate expert who requested anonymity said, "Although suspicions related to the Farmland Act are emerging, there are practically no penalty provisions under the Farmland Act," adding, "It is difficult to expect measures other than farmland disposal orders."

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