Lee Jae-myung: "The Will of the People and Party Members is Important"... Party Leadership Challenge "Still Plenty of Time Left"

First Day as a Member of the National Assembly... "I Will Do My Best" Determination
Regarding Internal Party Conflict, "The Will of the People and Party Members Is Important"
"I Haven't Thought Much About Running in the Party Convention as There's Still Plenty of Time"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, Standing Advisor of the Democratic Party of Korea, addressed the responsibility for the June 1 local election defeat, saying, "I am humbly listening to the opinions of the people, party members, and supporters with a low posture." When asked by reporters about whether he would run in the August party convention, he avoided a direct answer, stating, "There are quite a lot of things to do. There is still plenty of time regarding the party convention."

Lee, who started his first day at the National Assembly on the 7th as a 'first-term' lawmaker, said in front of office 818 in the National Assembly Members' Office Building assigned to him, "As a loyal servant of the people and a constitutional institution of the Republic of Korea, I feel a heavy responsibility and will do my best." Office 818 was previously used by Song Young-gil, the former Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor and the predecessor in his constituency.

Regarding the intensified internal strife to the point where party splits are rumored, Lee said, "I believe that the will of the people and party members is the most important in politics. Even though politicians appear to be forming and breaking alliances, I still believe that ultimately, the people are the ones who do politics."

On his preference for standing committees, he said, "It is not something I can decide on my own, and I plan to decide from the perspective of the party and the people by respecting the opinions of the floor leadership after observing the internal party situation."

Lee began his first official schedule after being elected by visiting the 3.1 Independence Movement Memorial Tower at Hwang-eo Market in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon, on Memorial Day to pay respects. However, he did not attend the 'Deomincho' online general meeting of first-term lawmakers scheduled for 10 a.m. that day, nor the lawmakers' general meeting at 3 p.m. He said, "I think it is better not to participate until today." When asked about a statement by lawmaker Lee Won-wook that Song Young-gil's nomination was Lee's intention, he drew a clear line, saying, "(Song's nomination) was decided by the party and party members."

Within the party, remarks targeting Lee regarding the local election defeat continued on the same day. Lawmaker Lee Sang-min said on the radio, "He is the main culprit of the presidential election defeat and has not clearly resolved various suspicions surrounding him, so he needs to clear up the suspicions and take time for self-reflection," adding, "It is inappropriate for him to run for party leader."

The Democratic Party recently agreed to form an innovative emergency committee through a joint meeting of party affairs committee members, but factional conflicts were only confirmed over the appointment of the emergency committee chairperson and the setting of party convention rules. For now, a lawmakers' general meeting will be held in the afternoon, and the emergency committee is planned to be established within this week. Oh Young-hwan, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, said, "There will be recommendations for emergency committee members including youth and women at the general meeting," adding, "The goal is to finalize the additional composition of the emergency committee and the decision on the chairperson within this week."

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