Lee Nak-yeon 'Accepts Primary' but Supporters Tear Apart Cho Kuk's Book in Anger... One Team 'Unlikely'

Lee Nak-yeon 'Accepts Primary' but Supporters Strongly Oppose Democratic Party
Cho Kuk "Remove Mocking and Defamatory Posts"... Lee Nak-yeon Supporters Burn and Tear 'Cho Kuk's Time'
Experts: "Result of Growing Concerns About Governor Lee"

Former Representative Lee Nak-yeon is speaking at the Lee Nak-yeon Pil-yeon Camp closing ceremony held at Daesan Building in Yeouido, Seoul on the 14th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] "I will never vote if Lee Jae-myung runs," "Impeach Song Young-gil for forcing an unfair primary."

Although former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon expressed his intention to accept the party primary results, the strong backlash from his supporters has led to predictions that a 'one team' unity will be difficult.

Lee's supporters are raising issues with the party's stance on 'invalid votes' that surfaced during the primary process and the way objections were handled. Experts analyzed that the strong opposition from Lee's supporters reflects growing concerns about Governor Lee Jae-myung.

On the 15th, Lee held a closing ceremony for the 'Inevitability Camp,' wrapping up all activities related to the presidential election. Around 1:15 p.m. in front of the Daesan Building in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee greeted about 100 supporters and said, "I lost this time, but your beliefs have not failed," adding, "Your beliefs will become a river that flows to the sea."

Earlier, Lee's side raised objections to the party's election commission's method of counting valid votes, which recognized invalid votes. The Democratic Party held a party affairs committee meeting and decided on the afternoon of the 13th not to accept Lee's objections. However, Lee expressed his willingness to accept this decision. On the same day, he posted on Facebook, "Congratulations to candidate Lee Jae-myung who won the primary," and said, "I will work for the victory of the Democratic Party."

Despite Lee's acceptance of the primary results, dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party is being voiced among his supporters. They criticize the decision-making process as undemocratic, citing the dismissal of Lee's objections by a 'rubber-stamp' approval.

After Governor Lee was confirmed as the Democratic Party candidate, Lee's supporters posted protest messages on various online communities such as "I will never vote if Lee Jae-myung runs" and "Withdraw the 'Sasaoip' (passage of invalid votes)." On the 10th, immediately after the primary, the term "rigged election" was shared multiple times on social media platform Twitter.

Amid this lingering conflict, party leader Song Young-gil's 'Ilbe remark' further escalated tensions. On the 13th, in an interview with a media outlet, Song said about some of Lee's hardline supporters, "Those reform party members who used to talk about media reform should reflect on themselves for spreading fake news," adding, "They are exactly like Ilbe (a controversial online community) in spreading malicious criticism based on unverified facts." After the controversy grew, he apologized at the party's supreme council meeting, saying, "There was inappropriate analogy and expression while pointing out some extreme behaviors. I apologize to those who were hurt and concerned."

Meanwhile, Lee's supporters filed an injunction to suspend the validity of the Democratic Party primary results with the court. About 46,000 party members and general citizens who had voting rights in the Democratic Party primary participated in the lawsuit.

Kim Jin-seok (45), a Democratic Party member and lead plaintiff, held a press conference in front of the Seoul Southern District Court on the morning of the 14th, stating, "The Democratic Party primary damaged democracy," and argued, "The special party regulation, which aims to encourage a runoff vote, concluded in a way that hinders 'one team' and causes division."

Supporters of former Representative Lee Nak-yeon took pictures of and burned a book by former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who pointed out their slanders. Photo by Twitter.

Meanwhile, Lee's supporters are also voicing criticism against former Minister Cho Kuk. On the 15th, Cho posted on his Facebook, suggesting, "Let's take down mocking, abusive, and defamatory posts about the candidate you opposed," which sparked strong backlash from Lee's supporters.

Supporters revealed photos of burning Cho's book 'Cho Kuk's Time,' saying, "I can't even stand to see him. Stop pretending to be progressive from now on," criticizing Cho.

Another supporter posted a photo of tearing Cho's book with harsh profanity, saying, "He bought 50 copies of the book to help with legal fees. He says he will distribute them and tear up the remaining copies. You're out now," condemning him.

The aftermath of the primary is also reflected in a public opinion poll. Realmeter, commissioned by OhmyNews, surveyed 2,027 adults aged 18 and over nationwide over two days from the 11th to 12th (response rate 5.2%, margin of error ±2.2% at 95% confidence level) on support for a 'four-way virtual contest' among Governor Lee Jae-myung, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, Justice Party lawmaker Shim Sang-jung, and People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo. Governor Lee recorded 34.0%, and former Prosecutor General Yoon 33.7%, showing a close race within the margin of error of 0.3%p.

Among Lee Nak-yeon's supporters, 14.2% supported Governor Lee in the four-way contest with Lee Jae-myung, Yoon Seok-youl, Shim Sang-jung, and Ahn Cheol-soo, while 40.3% supported opposition candidate Yoon. In a contest including lawmaker Hong Jun-pyo, 13.3% supported Governor Lee, and 29.9% supported Hong.

A Realmeter official said, "Support for Lee Jae-myung among Lee Nak-yeon's supporters was very low. While many shifted to undecided or watchful stances, a significant number also supported Yoon Seok-youl and Hong Jun-pyo," adding, "Even considering that Lee Nak-yeon's acceptance of the primary results was not reflected during the survey period, the aftermath of the primary is at a serious level."

Concerns are growing that various adverse factors during the Democratic Party's presidential primary process could shake the 'one team' foundation. The opposition party pointed out that Lee Nak-yeon's supporters might not support Governor Lee Jae-myung at all.

On the morning of the 15th, Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "Formally, they are 'one team,' but you cannot change people's hearts," adding, "Among those who supported Lee Nak-yeon, 60 to 70% will never go to Governor Lee Jae-myung."

Experts analyzed that this series of situations reflects heightened concerns about Governor Lee. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon explained, "We will have to see the situation going forward, but the centrist voters will be divided into those who hate but will vote for the Democratic Party again, those who will vote for the People Power Party instead of the Democratic Party, and those who will give up voting altogether," adding, "Looking at the results of the third round of the electorate, it is clear that there are significant concerns about Lee Jae-myung within the Democratic Party and progressive supporters."

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