Despite Turmoil in the People Power Party, the Ruling Party Advocates Caution... Lee Jae-myung Says "This Is Not Something to Be Happy About"

"Rational Competitive System Is Desirable" Call for Normalization
'Lee's Close Associate' Jeong Seong-ho "Worried About Democratic Party... Increasing Number Demanding Positions"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, said on the 3rd that he hopes the People Power Party, which is causing confusion by completely reorganizing its election campaign committee, will resolve the situation quickly. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] With the presidential election just over two months away and the People Power Party undergoing a complete overhaul of its Central Election Committee amid ongoing turmoil, the Democratic Party of Korea is urging caution, saying "this is not a matter to be pleased about." It is uncertain how the presidential candidate approval ratings will develop in the coming period, and there are warnings that this situation could lead the ruling party to become complacent.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, said in an interview with KBS 'News 9' on the 3rd that he hopes the People Power Party's internal strife will be resolved quickly.

He added, "I hope we can start policy competition rather than negative competition and have discussions about the country's future." When asked by the host if the opposition party's struggles could be an opportunity for the ruling party, he replied, "I do not think it is good that the competing side is experiencing discord," and said, "I believe a system that allows for rational competition is the most desirable."

He also emphasized that they cannot afford to be complacent about approval ratings. Lee said, "(The approval ratings) have changed drastically within a week, which is surprising," and added, "The situation is not one where we can be optimistic just because the opponent is almost collapsing. I am telling everyone to be more cautious and humble and to do their best."

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is leaving the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the evening of the 3rd after discussing follow-up measures for a complete overhaul of the campaign committee. / Photo by Yonhap News

Calls for caution have also been raised within the party. Jeong Seong-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker known as a close aide to Lee, expressed concerns in a post on his Facebook page that day, saying, "While we worry about the People Power Party, we also worry about the Democratic Party," and added, "When the opponent is functioning properly, we feel tension and work hard, but since the opponent is in internal chaos, there is a sense of complacency that we will win even if we do things half-heartedly, and this complacency could spread like COVID-19."

He continued, "There are also increasing numbers of people who only demand positions without campaigning. Reports have come in that some are showing arrogant behavior by occupying seats without doing any work."

Jeong emphasized, "Such behavior is very limited to a few, and I know that the majority of those involved are doing their best with passion and determination," but he stressed, "We must not forget that the public is watching every moment."

Kim Jong-in, the overall election campaign committee chairman of the People Power Party, is answering reporters' questions as he leaves the party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 3rd. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-in, the People Power Party's overall election committee chairman, announced that he would carry out a full reorganization of the election committee that morning. It is also reported that the party's organizational reform has been accompanied by a temporary suspension of candidate Yoon's future schedule.

After the election committee meeting that day, Kim told reporters, "This is to show the public that the People Power Party's election committee is making its best efforts in line with public sentiment," and explained, "We need to adjust the entire structure, including the resignation of the headquarters chief. We will carry out the necessary reorganization well."

When asked by reporters whether Lee Jun-seok, the People Power Party leader, might join the election committee through this reorganization, he replied, "As I always say, Leader Lee has the responsibility as party leader to mobilize the entire party system to lead the election to victory," and added, "I cannot say anything beyond that."

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