Lee and Ahn Enter the Assembly... Internal Anti-Forces Pose Challenges to Party Control Prospects

Lee sheds 'zero-term politician' label
Accountability raised for Chief Campaign Chair
"Only cares for himself" party infighting begins
Ahn wins decisively in Seongnam Bundang-gap
Pro-Yoon Suk-yeol faction unity unlikely
Securing allies key before party leadership bid

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for the Incheon Gyeyang by-election, announced the "Subway Line 9 Gyeyang Extension Pledge" near the Gimpo Urban Railway Depot in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon on the 29th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Special Committee, is delivering opening remarks at the 13th COVID-19 Emergency Response Special Committee meeting held at the Transition Committee in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 18th. Photo by Transition Committee Press Photographers.

[Asia Economy Reporters Koo Chae-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] With candidates Lee Jae-myung and Ahn Cheol-soo both winning in the parliamentary by-elections, their bids to run in the party leadership elections?scheduled for August (Democratic Party) and June next year (People Power Party), respectively?have become highly likely. Since both Lee and Ahn are expected to run for party president and challenge for the next presidential nomination, internal power struggles within the parties are anticipated to intensify. However, Lee is not free from criticism over the defeat in the local elections, and Ahn is expected to face a thorny path just to settle smoothly within his party.

According to the National Election Commission on the 2nd, Lee Jae-myung, who ran in Incheon Gyeyang-eul, was elected with 55.24% (44,289 votes), defeating his competitor Yoon Hyung-sun of the People Power Party, who received 44.75% (35,886 votes). Ahn Cheol-soo, who ran in Gyeonggi Seongnam Bundang-gap, won decisively with 62.50% (83,747 votes), surpassing Kim Byung-kwan of the Democratic Party, who received 37.49% (50,235 votes).

Returning to the National Assembly just over three months after the presidential election defeat, Lee has shed the label of a ‘zero-term politician,’ but his path ahead is not smooth. The key issue is whether he can overcome the responsibility for the presidential and local election defeats as the overall election campaign chairman. Signs of internal discord have already emerged within the party. On the 1st, former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won criticized Lee by using the phrase "Jasaengdangsa" (he survives but the party dies) regarding the Democratic Party’s defeat in the local elections despite Lee’s victory. Three-term senior lawmaker Lee Won-wook of the Democratic Party directly called it a "hollow glory." On the same day, Cho Eung-cheon, an emergency committee member of the same party, said on the radio, "One reason for running in the by-election might have been with the party leadership election in mind. Although the Democratic Party barely won in Gyeonggi Province, and there is some room to speak, I think Lee became part of this huge defeat," adding, "It won’t be easy for him to run cleanly in the party leadership election."

Lee Jae-myung, the General Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Yoon Ho-jung and Park Ji-hyun, Co-Chairpersons of the Joint Standing Election Committee, are holding a joint press conference on the 30th at candidate Lee's campaign office in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Within the Democratic Party, criticism is growing that Lee’s direct entry into the by-election just two months after the presidential defeat triggered a ‘second round of the presidential election,’ resulting in a re-judgment vote against the Democratic Party. The narrow victory over Yoon Hyung-sun, former chairman of the Incheon Medical Association from the People Power Party, despite stepping in only two months after the presidential race, is also a painful point.

Ahn, as expected, won decisively in Gyeonggi Seongnam Bundang-gap, but evaluations suggest that settling within the party will not be easy. Kim Ki-hyun, a People Power Party lawmaker who is a strong contender for the next party leadership, said on the radio that day, "Just because Ahn is running doesn’t mean he will become party president, and he is not the only one who wants to be party president," adding, "Preparing based solely on Ahn without any indicators hinders our party’s diversity and expansion."

There is also a strong view that a chemical union with the pro-Yoon Seok-youl faction within the People Power Party will not be easy. Ahn experienced conflicts with pro-Yoon figures over cabinet appointments during his time as transition committee chairman, and his party base is weak. Since there are not many allies within the party who will fully support Ahn, it is assessed that even a smooth landing will be difficult. In a radio interview that day, Ahn was cautious about discussing his bid for party leadership. He said, "My term starts today. I have to organize my staff and find a local office. There is a lot to do," adding, "I will consider my future path once things are settled."

Ahn Cheol-soo, People Power Party candidate for Bundang Gap./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

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