Lee Jae-myung remains silent for second day on "..." schedule questions, attendance at joint meeting also uncertain

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[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Lee Jae-myung, the General Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, remained silent for the second day following the crushing defeat in the June 1 local elections. His attendance at the joint meeting of lawmakers and party executives scheduled for the afternoon of the 3rd is also uncertain. The Democratic Party plans to hold intense discussions at the meeting not only about the local election defeat but also about reflection and reform directions following the presidential election loss, as well as the composition of the next leadership. In particular, controversy over 'Lee Jae-myung's responsibility' for the election defeat is expected, making the attendance of the person in question potentially burdensome.

Lee Jae-myung, the General Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is leaving the situation room after watching the exit poll results at the comprehensive situation room set up in the National Assembly on the 1st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 3rd, a first-term Democratic Party lawmaker said in a phone call, "There is an opinion that it might be burdensome to attend the meeting immediately after the defeat," adding, "Attendance at today's meeting has not been confirmed. It is uncertain."

The joint meeting of lawmakers and party executives on this day will be attended by Park Hong-geun, the floor leader who assumed the acting party leader role following the full resignation of the Emergency Committee the previous day, along with key figures inside and outside the National Assembly. Although Lee, who was elected in the Incheon Gyeyang-eul by-election, is eligible to attend as a lawmaker, it appears he will not make a prominent appearance at this meeting.

The election committee chairman attended the National Assembly's vote counting situation room on the 1st and appeared at the closing ceremony of the Incheon Gyeyang-eul election office on the afternoon of the 2nd. Aside from these, he has not appeared in any public schedules and has consistently remained silent in response to questions during official events.

This behavior by Lee draws more attention as strong calls for accountability are being raised regarding the causes of the election defeat. Democratic Party lawmakers say the atmosphere is such that, having lost both the presidential and local elections, there is little reason to hold back, and harsh criticism that had been restrained until now is expected to be fully expressed. Amid the internal conflict between pro-Moon and pro-Lee factions within the party, there are also calls for Lee to clarify his position in some way.

Meanwhile, controversy is expected over Lee’s anticipated candidacy for the party leadership election in August, which was seen as a natural step after his entry into Yeouido. While there is a unified voice that a new leadership should be formed through the party convention to quickly resolve internal strife, there are differing opinions regarding the timing of an early party convention and Lee’s candidacy for party leader. In this context, some point out that for the Democratic Party’s reform, the 'content' of change and innovation that the new leadership will present is more important than the form.

Woo Sang-ho, a four-term Democratic Party lawmaker, said in a phone call, "Even if we hurry to check practical schedules, the party convention will be brought forward by only about a week to ten days," emphasizing, "Rather than who will be harmed or when it will be held, it is more important to see what the new leadership will do once it is established. Changing the party’s organization and culture is crucial."

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