Conflicting Opinions Within the Party Over Lee Jae-myung's Position: "The Right Person to Lead Party Innovation" vs. "Should Not Be Used as a Firestarter"

Kim Du-kwan to Lee Jae-myung: "Not that you must become the emergency committee chair... but it's the best choice for now"
Ahn Min-seok: "Lee Jae-myung's role may be necessary, but caution is needed"

Kim Du-kwan, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Opinions are divided within the party regarding the future position of Lee Jae-myung, Senior Advisor of the Democratic Party of Korea. Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan expressed his view to Advisor Lee, urging him to "reconsider leading the local elections as the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson." On the other hand, Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Min-seok said, "Lee Jae-myung, who has become a valuable asset to the Democratic Party, should be preserved rather than used as an immediate kindling."

On the 14th, Kim posted on his Facebook, stating, "Yoon Ho-jung should immediately resign as Emergency Response Committee Chairperson, and a new chairperson should be elected to appoint new committee members for party innovation and victory in the local elections."

He continued, "Advisor Lee, who performed well in the presidential election based on his achievements as Mayor of Seongnam and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, is a symbol of reform from the grassroots and local autonomy," adding, "Advisor Lee himself said he 'grabs the tail to shake the body.' It means he intends to change the country through local autonomy. Now is the time to put this proposition into practice."

He said, "It is not that Advisor Lee must absolutely become the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson. However, at present, he is the best choice. He is the right person to lead the local elections and party innovation," and added, "I hope he listens to the earnest cries of the people and party members. If Yoon Ho-jung's Emergency Response Committee is forced ahead, a crushing defeat worse than the 2006 local elections will be inevitable," criticizing the current leadership.

Furthermore, he concluded his post by saying, "The people and party members want the Democratic Party to be renewed. The more the public opinion is ignored, the closer the party moves toward defeat and collapse. Only innovation and reform can save the Democratic Party. Those in power must relinquish their privileges and acknowledge responsibility," and urged, "Yoon Ho-jung, Emergency Response Committee Chairperson, should quietly step down."

Earlier, the Democratic Party leadership resigned en masse, taking responsibility for the presidential election defeat. Subsequently, an Emergency Response Committee system was established with Yoon Ho-jung and Park Ji-hyun as co-chairs, but opposition to this continues.

Ahn Min-seok, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, lawmaker Ahn maintains a cautious stance regarding the proposal for Advisor Lee to step up. On the 13th, Ahn posted on his Facebook titled "Democratic Party, Cherish Lee Jae-myung and Sow Seeds of Hope for the People," stating, "While Advisor Lee's role may be necessary in the upcoming local elections, we must be cautious."

He emphasized, "Now, all Democratic Party lawmakers should humbly accept the results of this presidential election as a comprehensive evaluation of all of us and reflect and contemplate together," adding, "We must also unite as one to prepare resolutely for Yoon Seok-yeol's prosecutorial republic and the era of security governance."

He continued, "It goes without saying that the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson must approach the role with a spirit of sacrifice and dedication, not as another opportunity for their future political career. Chairperson Yoon must demonstrate his sincerity in some form, and only then can the party rise again centered on the Emergency Response Committee," he stressed.

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