Namyangju Democratic Party, "Political Conspiracy by Faction" Suspected Lee Jae-myung?

"Petition Submitted Claiming 'Mayor Jogwanghan's Party Suspension Is Unfair'
'A Secret Conspiracy to Silence Mayor Jo's Voice'"

(Photo from left) Jo Gwang-han, Mayor of Namyangju City, and Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province [Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Amid the fierce competition in the Democratic Party's presidential primary, local party members have strongly opposed the party's Supreme Council decision regarding Namyangju Mayor Jo Gwang-han, who was suspended from party duties and referred to the Ethics Tribunal after conflicts with Gyeonggi Province Governor and party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, calling it "political oppression."

Party members particularly protested, saying, "The timing is very inappropriate. This is a political maneuver by forces trying to silence Mayor Jo," shifting their suspicion toward Governor Lee Jae-myung's side.

According to the Democratic Party Namyangju City Party, on the 29th of last month, about 1,000 party members visited the central party office to submit a petition demanding the withdrawal of the unfair suspension of Mayor Jo from party duties and his referral to the Ethics Tribunal.

Earlier, the Democratic Party Supreme Council, citing Article 80, Paragraph 1 of the party constitution, suspended Mayor Jo from party duties and referred him to the Ethics Tribunal on the 7th of last month.

Namyangju party members claimed, "The Supreme Council's decision, which did not even give the concerned party a chance to explain, is highly suspicious as political oppression against Mayor Jo Gwang-han, considering the procedure and timing."

Party members emphasized, "Making such a decision at a time when Mayor Jo and Governor Lee Jae-myung are in conflict over policy plagiarism is a political maneuver by forces trying to silence Mayor Jo."

They also pointed out the timing of the Supreme Council's 'suspension from party duties' decision, saying, "Especially at a time when this has become an important verification point in the presidential primary process, we cannot help but question the urgency of suspending Mayor Jo from party duties."

Furthermore, they criticized, "Certain forces aiming to politically retaliate and oppress Mayor Jo have blinded and deafened the Supreme Council members, causing a blemish on the Supreme Council's decision-making. The Democratic Party must correct this serious blemish."

Party members rebutted, "The relevant party constitution article concerns party officials indicted for legal violations related to corruption, but Mayor Jo's indictment does not fall under corruption, making the Supreme Council's referral itself invalid."

They added, "In Mayor Jo's case, the issue involves whether somewhat awkward administrative procedures during the hiring of a lawyer as the head of the audit office constitute obstruction of business, which is a matter for the court's judgment and has nothing to do with corruption."

Kim Hee-ho, a party member who submitted the petition representing ordinary party members, said, "Even while preparing the petition, there were disputes among Namyangju city council members, and the local committee issued statements attacking Mayor Jo Gwang-han," but added, "However, the essence is merely a collusion among some party officials behind closed doors and does not represent the will of our party members."

He also warned, "The owners of the Democratic Party are the party members. We will no longer tolerate decisions by a minority of local committee officials that go against the will of ordinary party members, and if necessary, we will take collective action centered on ordinary party members."

Among Namyangju party members, there are claims that this will lead to the consolidation of Mayor Jo's support base, classified as pro-Moon Jae-in faction, ahead of next year's presidential and local elections, and also affect the Democratic Party's presidential primary.

An anonymous Namyangju party member A told this reporter, "The suspension of Mayor Jo from party duties is nothing but an act that completely ignores the opinions of local party members," and raised his voice, "I will inform party members in other regions about the behind-the-scenes dealings to overturn the Supreme Council's wrong decision."

Another party member said, "The Supreme Council's decision (suspension of Mayor Jo from party duties and referral to the Ethics Tribunal) will further solidify Mayor Jo's support base, and since local party members have suspicions about Governor Lee, there is concern that the situation could escalate enough to affect our party's presidential primary."

Meanwhile, Mayor Jo, who was suspended from party duties and referred to the party Ethics Tribunal by the Supreme Council at the time when Governor Lee Jae-myung's 'policy plagiarism' controversy was spreading, expressed his intention to strongly respond, calling it "an outrage and political oppression carried out by a certain group within the Democratic Party."

Mayor Jo raised suspicions, saying, "Why was such a decision made at this time when I and Governor Lee Jae-myung, who was indicted in early June, are in an uncomfortable relationship over 'policy plagiarism' regarding river and valley maintenance?"

Earlier, during a Democratic Party presidential primary TV debate, Namyangju City's river and valley maintenance project was mentioned as "Gyeonggi Province's first project," sparking controversy over Governor Lee's 'policy plagiarism.'

In response, Mayor Jo immediately strongly criticized, "I cannot agree with Gyeonggi Province's behavior of turning our city's achievements into the governor's credit," and Governor Lee, while acknowledging during the debate under candidate Kim Doo-kwan's questioning that "Namyangju City was the first," also said, "Therefore, we also awarded commendations to the public officials."

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