With 'Triangle Structure', Ruling and Opposition Factions' Conflict... After the Election, 'Party Leadership Battle'

"If it's self-politics, it's usually a problem" Pro-Yoon faction lashes out at Lee Jun-seok
Democrats and opposition clash over 'Lee Jae-myung responsibility theory'... Struggle for leadership between ruling and opposition parties

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is talking with Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] As the 20th presidential election and the June 1 local elections concluded, competition to seize party leadership has intensified within both ruling and opposition parties. The Democratic Party of Korea, which suffered a crushing defeat in both elections, has been engulfed in internal strife amid daily disputes over responsibility for the losses, while the People Power Party has also begun a power struggle over the next party leadership.

Within the People Power Party, tensions are detected among Representative Lee Jun-seok, the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) faction, and Representative Ahn Cheol-soo. First, on the 6th, Jeong Jin-seok, a five-term veteran lawmaker considered part of the pro-Yoon faction, openly criticized Lee’s visit to Ukraine and the Innovation Committee (Innovation Committee) launched to reform the nomination system. Jeong wrote on Facebook, "People around me cautiously ask, 'Why on earth did Representative Lee Jun-seok go to Ukraine?' and 'Isn't it somewhat out of place?'" He criticized, "If it is nothing more or less than his own politics, it is usually a problem."

Jeong also criticized the Innovation Committee led by Lee, saying, "Innovation, reform, and change are important, but if we prioritize, shouldn't we first consider the ruling party's role in supporting the Yoon Suk-yeol administration? The order should be to calmly hold a workshop to discuss the party's present and future first." Floor leader Kwon Seong-dong also supported this view at a press briefing at the National Assembly that day, saying, "To launch the Innovation Committee, time was needed to carefully consider the composition and who would be part of it."

In political circles, Lee’s trip to Ukraine and the establishment of the Innovation Committee at this point were widely regarded as unusual. It was also interpreted as a strategic move to strengthen his influence amid unstable standing within the party due to allegations such as sexual bribery. In this situation, with a senior pro-Yoon lawmaker making remarks to check Lee, analysis suggests that the power struggle has become full-fledged.

Representative Ahn Cheol-soo, expected to challenge for the next party leadership, also joined the criticism of Lee. At the election camp closing ceremony on the 5th, Ahn said, "Innovation is not only about election systems or nominations. Only parties that show political development together can survive," indirectly criticizing the launch of the Innovation Committee.

In response to internal criticism, Lee expressed displeasure by posting a brief message on Facebook saying, "The train goes anyway." This is interpreted as his intention not to yield and to resist internal checks within the party.

Lee Jae-myung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is answering questions from reporters as he arrives for his first day at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the morning of the 7th. / Yonhap News

The Democratic Party, defeated in both the presidential and local elections, is also in turmoil. Fierce disputes over responsibility for the election defeat between the pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in) faction and the pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae-myung) faction have made it difficult to enter a phase of resolution. The pro-Moon faction opposes Representative Lee’s bid for the next party leadership, citing the "Lee Jae-myung responsibility theory" as the cause of the defeat, while the pro-Lee faction counterattacks, calling it "Lee Jae-myung killing."

Representative Hong Young-pyo criticized in an interview with KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' saying, "One of the biggest reasons for our defeat is generally evaluated as Representative Lee Jae-myung running in Incheon Gyeyang-eul and former Representative Song Young-gil running as the Seoul mayoral candidate being the decisive cause of the election defeat."

On the same day, Representative Woo Sang-ho also expressed indirect opposition in an interview with TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' saying, "The Democratic Party has always been noisy and had internal conflicts when the presidential candidate took party leadership. The majority of lawmakers are worried about Representative Lee’s challenge for party leadership."

On the other hand, the pro-Lee faction, concerned about the internal conflict being highlighted as factional confrontation, defended Representative Lee. Representative Ahn Min-seok, who served as the general special advisor for Lee Jae-myung’s presidential campaign, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "Is the responsibility for the local election defeat only on a specific person? Such (Lee Jae-myung responsibility) claims are the result of a vested interest cartel and appear to be a highly factional perspective."

Representative Kim Nam-guk, considered a close aide to Lee, wrote on Facebook, "Right after the election ended, as if by 'operation,' about ten lawmakers simultaneously posted on social media, and some appeared on broadcasts making one-sided claims. While candidates, party members, and supporters were desperately campaigning for victory, some seemed to be planning 'Lee Jae-myung killing.' This is regrettable as it seems to prioritize factional interests over the will to reform the Democratic Party."

Meanwhile, Representative Lee, who had remained silent on the responsibility issue, made his first statement on the election defeat on the 7th as he arrived at the National Assembly, saying, "I am humbly and earnestly listening to the opinions of our people, party members, and supporters with a low profile." Regarding his candidacy for the party leadership election, he avoided a direct answer, saying, "There is still a lot of time, so I have not thought deeply about it yet. As a 0.5-term freshman in the National Assembly, I feel a heavy responsibility and believe there is a lot to be done."

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